What to Wear: Wear something that is comfortable for sitting and not distracting to others. Loose-fitting clothes in dark or muted solid colors are best. More coverage (e.g., a t-shirt and knee-length shorts) is preferable to less (e.g., a muscle shirt or tank top and running shorts). We prefer that you don’t wear hats in the zendo (meditation hall). Please avoid perfume or other strongly scented products.
What to Bring: You don’t need to bring anything except your open mind. Chairs, cushions, and benches are available for your use. If you have special meditation aids you prefer (e.g. your own cushion or bench), feel free to bring them. Cellphones and other electronic devices should be left at home or in your car, or turned off when you enter the Zen center. You may bring a water bottle if you’d like, but we generally don’t bring food or drink into the zendo, except for formal meal practice or on special occasions.
After Sunday services, we usually have coffee, tea, and snacks. If you have special dietary restrictions, feel free to bring a snack that meets your needs. Our offerings are always vegetarian, but not always vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free.
Coming to the Zen Center: Nebraska Zen Center is located at 3625 Lafayette Avenue in the Bemis Park area of Omaha. We’re in a residential neighborhood—right next to Augustana Lutheran Church, which is on the corner of 38th and Lafayette. Click on the box below for a map and directions.
Please try to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled event, whether you are coming for orientation or for sitting and service. Our timekeeper begins sounding the han (wooden block) ten minutes before the start of meditation. You should be in the zendo and settled in your seat at least five minutes before the meditation period begins.
Parking is available in the driveways on both sides of the Zen center, or on the street in front. We also have permission from Augustana Lutheran Church to use four of their parking spots. Please be considerate of our neighbors when parking.
NZC’s main entryway is in the back. Walk up the main driveway to the back of the garage, turn left on the sidewalk, and take the ramp or stairs to our back door.
As You Enter: In the entryway, remove your shoes and place them in the shoe trays to your right or the shelves to your left. You can hang coats, jackets, and hats on the pegs above the shoe trays. Place purses and bags on the shelves or in the baskets at the other end of the entryway. Please store your electronic devices (remember to turn them off), water bottles, keys, etc., in these locations.
If no one is at the door to greet you, just tell the first person you see that this is your first time at NZC. If you emailed ahead to arrange for orientation and instruction, please let them know that as well. Then relax, we’ll take it from there.