Zen is less concerned with beliefs and more concerned with direct experience.Zen isn't a passive philosophy. It requires practice, effort, and a willingness to put down habitual thinking and experience life directly.The question is simple: What are you?

Zen grew out of the Buddhist tradition, but the practice of Zen isn't limited to any particular belief system.The heart of Zen is simple: wake up, help others, and cultivate a compassionate mind.People of all backgrounds, religions, and life experiences are welcome at Mountain Spirit Center.

No.You don't need to change your religion, your beliefs, or your background to sit quietly for a few minutes and pay attention to your life.Everyone is welcome.

Zen isn't only about personal peace.Zen Master Seung Sahn often taught, "How can I help you?"Wisdom and compassion go together. Practice isn't only for ourselves; it's meant to help our families, our communities, and the world around us.

For centuries, Korean mountain temples have been built in places of natural beauty, where practice and the landscape exist in harmony.Mountain Spirit Center was founded on the belief that the wisdom and traditions of Korean Zen could find a home among the sandstone formations and quiet canyons of the American West. Today, the temple remains deeply rooted in Korean tradition while warmly welcoming the local community.

This question cannot be answered with words.Come over and sit for a while. 😉

Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927–2004) dedicated his life to sharing Korean Zen with the Western world. Arriving in the United States in 1972, he introduced a direct and accessible style of practice that emphasized meditation, compassion, and everyday life.Through the Kwan Um School of Zen, his teachings spread from a small group of students in Rhode Island to a worldwide community of temples and meditation centers.More than fifty years later, his vision continues here at Mountain Spirit Center, where Korean tradition and the landscape of the American West come together.