our foundation
The New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care (NYZC) offers guidance for people interested in beginning meditation or continuing in their existing practice; we train people from all walks of life— including medical professionals, parents, lawyers, artist and bankers—in compassionate caregiving; we support people and their loved ones through serious illness and death, and assist family and friends during their grieving process. We also celebrate and honor many of life’s meaningful moments.
Since opening in 2007, our center has been a trailblazer in researching, testing and developing contemplative care methodologies. Today, New York Zen Center’s techniques are internationally recognized—and have touched the lives of tens of thousands of individuals.
OUR MISSION
At the heart of our mission, NYZC focuses on caring for the most vulnerable among us and places its primary focus on our founding vision: to transform the culture of care through contemplative practice by meeting illness, aging, and death with compassion and wisdom.
WHO WE ARE
Led by co-founders, Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison and Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell, NYZC is a Dharma organization dedicated to transforming people’s lives through a comprehensive approach that includes Zen practice, contemplative caregiving training and direct care.
Focused on caring for the most vulnerable among us, The NYZC’s contemplative caregiving practice is dedicated to meeting illness, aging and death with compassion and wisdom.
WHAT WE DO
New Research
We have just completed a pioneering research study that grounds our assertions about the veracity of a contemplative approach to care, particularly within the frame of resilience support for healthcare professionals and volunteers. These proven tools will now be integrated into the training.
contemplative care
We define contemplative care as a multi-faith, relationship-centered approach to care that draws on the contemplative practice of the caregiver as the primary source of wisdom and loving action. This rigorous training engenders radical compassion in both the caregiver and the patient, and acts as the healing agent of suffering. We dare to be brave and creative: in our effort to create a more intimate and harmonious world we are intimate with our own suffering in order to alleviate the suffering of others.
zen practice
NYZC nurtures community: Each week we offer daily meditation and Zen training for those who wish to deepen their contemplative practice, so that they can be more resilient in caring relationships with both themselves and the world.
Education
Recognized as true pioneers and leaders in the field of contemplative care, the NYZC is transforming spiritual care in the United States. We are the first and only Zen Buddhist organization to be fully-accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education as a CPE Clinical Chaplaincy Training Center in America. NYZC integrates Buddhist contemplative practices with professional training, creating a dynamic program that is multifaith and experience-based, geared toward developing professionals and those seeking to deepen their spiritual, caregiving practice.
NYZC also offers a year-long Foundations in Contemplative Care Training Program. Students fulfill the program requirements through class participation, 100 hours of contemplative care volunteering, rigorous reading and writing exercises, and an end-of-year project.
OUR LINEAGE
The New York Zen Center’ s practice is in the Soto Zen Lineage of the White Plum Asanga.
Our Founders, Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison and Sensei Robert Chodo Campbell are recognized Soto Zen Teachers by the Soto Zen Teachers Association, The White Plum Asanga, Zen Peacemakers and American Zen Teachers’ Association.
ethical principles and procedures
The Bodhisattva Precepts serve as our guide along the path of right speech, right conduct, and engaged relationship. Practice is based on trust, safety, respect, and authentic communication.
WISDOM IN ACTION
Living the Zen Precepts is wisdom in action – the natural expression of a compassionate and awakened heart.
At NYZC, the Precepts are studied and practiced to support the fullest expression of our lives.
DRAWING ON THESE TEACHINGS, THE PRECEPTS SERVE AS GUIDELINES FOR OUR DAILY LIVES,
DEVELOPING SKILLFUL WAYS TO NAVIGATE RELATIONSHIPS AND LIFE ITSELF .
urban monk
Zen teachers Koshin Paley Ellison and Chodo Robert Campbell talk about what it means to be modern monks.
