The Zen Center
4.9 rating from 300+ students

Think what you want to think

A free live introduction, followed by a 4-week foundation in zen practice grounded in Rients Ritskes' method. Small groups, real home practice, 4 weekly sessions.

Join the 4-Week Course
Not sure yet? Watch the free recording first, no signup needed.
Watch Free, Right Now

The full recording of the free introduction session. It covers the meditation instruction and the thinking model that opens the 4-week course, so you know exactly what you're starting before you join.

4
Weekly sessions
8-14
People per group
★★★★★
4.9 from 300+ reviews
★★★★★
"Genuinely changed how I relate to my own thinking."
Sarah T., Austin, TX
★★★★★
"Clear, practical, no fluff. I recommend it to everyone."
Michael R., Denver, CO
★★★★★
"Wish I had found this years ago."
James K., Chicago, IL
★★★★★
"The home practice made all the difference."
Emma L., Portland, OR
What You Will Learn

Two pillars, 4 weeks

Everything rests on seated meditation and attention in daily life. The webinar introduces both; the course builds them week by week.

Awareness, Bubbles and Dots

How reactive thinking works, and how unprocessed experience surfaces and clears.

Zen and Goals

Why knowing exactly what you want changes how you think and act.

Zen and Happiness

Why raising your tolerance for discomfort raises your capacity for happiness.

Choices and Enlightenment

Bringing a clear goal, a settled mind and a transparent ego together.

The Course

Think What You Want to Think

A 4-week foundation in zen practice, grounded in Rients Ritskes' method. 4 live sessions, one a week, 70 minutes each, small groups of 8-14.

All times below are shown in your time zone.

The Thinking Model: Awareness, Bubbles and Dots
Mon, Aug 24 · 8:00 PM EDT
How reactive thinking works, how unprocessed experience surfaces as "bubbles," and how to build the awareness to let it clear. Includes the full seated posture and breath count.
Zen and Goals
Mon, Aug 31 · 8:00 PM EDT
Setting a goal as clearly and concretely as possible, then deliberately letting it go, so you can act from clarity rather than grasping.
Zen and Happiness
Mon, Sep 7 · 8:00 PM EDT
Why raising your tolerance for discomfort raises your capacity for happiness, and how to practice sitting with what is difficult.
Zen, Choices and Enlightenment
Mon, Sep 14 · 8:00 PM EDT
Bringing a clear goal, a settled mind and a transparent ego together, and what that changes about how you choose.
Q and A

Questions you might have

4 live Zoom lessons, one per week, 70 minutes each. Times are shown in your own time zone: Week 1 — Zen and Goals: Mon, Aug 24 · 8:00 PM EDT Week 2 — The Thinking Model: Mon, Aug 31 · 8:00 PM EDT Week 3 — Zen and Happiness: Mon, Sep 7 · 8:00 PM EDT Week 4 — Choices: Mon, Sep 14 · 8:00 PM EDT

Course Enrollment

Choose how you want to join

Next live group starts Aug 24. Groups run 8-14 people, only 6 spots left.
Live Course
$109
One-time payment · 4 x live lessons on Zoom, 1 per week
Live teacher, real-time feedback, a group to keep you accountable
-4 x live on Zoom — 1 lesson per week, 4 weeks
-Each session is 70 minutes, live with the teacher
-Small group of 8-14 people
-Student handouts each week
-A home practice guide that builds week to week
Recordings Only
$27
One-time payment · recordings of the 4 weekly lessons
Self-paced, no live teacher or group interaction
-Recordings of all 4 weekly lessons
-Watch on your own time, no live Zoom sessions
-Student handouts each week
-A home practice guide that builds week to week
14-day money-back guarantee on the live course. No subscription, no auto-renewal, either way.
Rients Ritskes
The Method

This course is built on the method developed by Rients Ritskes, a Dutch zen master and founder of the Rients Ritskes Zen school, whose teaching grounds the thinking model at the heart of these 4 weeks.

Groups are small on purpose

Sessions run at 8-14 people so everyone speaks. Watch the recording, then reserve your spot in the next 4-week group.

Your zen teacher