Black MoUntain Zen Centre
Welcome
Black Mountain Zen Centre is a practice place in the centre of Belfast with affiliated groups throughout Northern Ireland and a growing online community around the world. Our guiding teacher is Ryushin Paul Haller, an authorised teacher in Suzuki Roshi’s lineage and former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center, and our resident priest is Myogan Djinn Gallagher. We offer daily zazen, talks and classes on zen and practice in everyday life.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”
– Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Sit With Us
We practise together online every day. Monday to Friday morning we sit online for an hour starting at 7 am. On Friday at 8 am we have a well-being ceremony, followed by our weekly check-in. Saturday and Sunday we sit for an hour online starting at 10 am, and we're opening in person on Sundays at 10 am and Tuesdays at 7 am at our new premises. We also offer an online Saturday book study group from 11 am until noon.
All times are local Belfast time.
REOPENING
We have a new premises at 165 Donegall Pass, Belfast BT7 1DT, and we're gradually reopening for in-person sitting, starting with Sunday mornings at 10 am and Tuesdays at 7 am. We're still online every day as well, and we're looking forward to sitting with you in person and in the digital zendo.
Half-day retreat (in-person and online)
New to Zen Practice?
Why sit zazen? Sitting with awareness of a balanced upright body and breath cultivates a quiet steadiness that can support the practitioner to meet whatever happens with equanimity. With regular sitting we can begin to discover the stability and clarity that sees the preoccupations of thoughts and emotions in our daily lives. It calls forth a compassion and resilience that eases our suffering and enhances our aliveness.
News & Events
Join our mailing list to be notified of upcoming events, including retreats and visits by teachers.