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
ONLINE
We practise together online every day using the Zoom link. Monday to Friday morning we sit online for an hour starting at 7 am, and on Monday and Wednesday we sit at 7:30 pm. 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.
All times are local Belfast time.
In Person
We sit together in person in the CRI Building at 165 Donegall Pass, Belfast BT7 1DT, opposite the Gasworks. We sit on Sunday at 10 am, Tuesday at 7 am, and Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Come along ten minutes early to get settled and just press the buzzer outside and we'll let you in.
Sunday Meditation (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.