1.      Member

Members are those who wish to meditate at OMZ and support the Center, but choose not to participate in the specific training methods set up for students. There are no requirements for member status other than completing a beginning orientation class. The requested monthly donation is $50.

                        Becoming a Student

In the texts that follow we outline the requirements for the various levels of students in the Open Mind Zen School. None of these stages is automatic, in the sense that a given level is the result of meeting requirements. The assessment of the teacher (and in some cases senior students of the Sangha) plays a key role. The requested donation for all student levels is $85 per month.

2.      Practicing Student

Practicing Students are those who choose to begin to engage in the OMZ system of Zen practice. The following requirements apply to them as well as all other levels of being an OMZ student:

1. Practice regularly at home. We suggest at least 30 minutes a day 5x per week.
2. When the teacher feels the student is ready, he or she will begin working on the 58 koans of the first group, although alternative practice methods are allowed on a case-by-case basis.
3. Agree to experience the Zen Dialogue process either in a private or group setting as a prerequisite to koan study.
4. Agree to do at least one long retreat and one weekend retreat per year.
5. Attend on Sunday and one other session during each week, as well as at least 4 of the 8 monthly mini–retreats per year.

3.      Advanced Student

Advanced Student promotion is given to those who finish the initial 58-koan collection and show they are willing to commit more time and energy to the Zen Center and to their meditation practice. This commitment takes many forms, and is rooted in the idea that by giving more we receive more. In addition, an Advanced Student will sit without koans for 2 months before beginning the Gateless Barrier. An Advanced Student will continue to go deeper with Zen Dialogue and other methods designed to deepen awakening to Buddha Mind.

4.      Senior Student

To be considered for this level, a student must first finish the Gateless Barrier  koan collection and have completed at least two longer retreats. At this point, a Senior Student should be experiencing and manifesting on a deep level how Zen practice can be integrated into daily life. There is a 6-month period of sitting without koans before moving on to the next level.

5.   Assistant Teacher of Zen,  Zen Breathwork or Zenergy Healing

Assistant Teachers must demonstrate an understanding of the workings of the Dharma in their lives and relationships and must be firmly rooted in the experience of awakening. Their teacher must feel that they are ready to take on leadership positions within the Sangha. There are three types of Assistant Teachers, with each category having different responsibilities and requirements: 

Zen Assistant Teachers must have completed the initial 58 koans, the Gateless Barrier and the Blue Cliff Record and demonstrate an understanding of the commentary and poetry attached to each koan. They may then be authorized to begin giving Dharma Talks and limited interviews.

Zen Breathwork Assistant Teachers are authorized to assist and lead in Zen Breathwork sessions and must have deep experience of the Breathwork method. They must pass the koans of the Gateless Barrier and may or may not be authorized to give Dharma Talks.

Zenergy Assistant Teachers must have a thorough understanding of the 3 modalities which make up Zenergy Healing: Energy work, Zen Breathwork and Zen Dialogue. In addition they must pass the koans of the Gateless Barrier.

6.      Dharma Holder 

A Dharma Holder must have finished the koans of the Book of Serenity and must be a demonstrated leader in the Sangha. The position of Dharma Holder is a confirmation by the teacher that a student is beginning to embody the Dharma in a tangible way and has creatively sought methods to teach on his or her own.

7.      Zen Teacher 

8.      Zen Master

This rare level of attainment will be recognized when a Zen Teacher has founded a new practice center or retreat center and has been acknowledged by his or her teacher as being worthy of this distinction.