Zen offers a path
and a practice to live life
more freely and intensely.
For everyone.
An introduction into Zen meditation
From October 23rd 2025 a Zen introductory route in English has started. The meetings focuses on the practical side of Zen meditation.
In 2026, the lessons will continue on every Tuesday evening 17:45 – 19:30 from January 6 until March 3.
It is still possible to join!
If you’re not yet part of the group but interested, you can still register, using the “Register” form below. You can join one session for free. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the teacher, the meetings, the space, and the atmosphere. In that case, please arrive 30 minutes beforehand so you can get some practical instruction on how to participate. And of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the content and structure. You’re very welcome.
Initially, the sessions focuse on the act of meditation itself. Later, it also covers the workings of our consciousness, emotions, and thinking. Naturally, the background of Zen is also discussed, using one key text as a reference. At the end of each meeting there is tea and an opportunity to ask questions.
Weekly Zen classes in English
We have a strong wish to form an English-speaking weekly meditation group after March 3rd 2026. It will take place every Tuesday from 17:45 to 19:30.
If you are interested in this weekly group, you can get into contact via the form below or by sending an email to secretariaat@zentrum.nl.
About Zentrum
For over 30 years, Zentrum has been organizing meetings and events for people who want to learn to meditate or who want to deepen their experience with Zen. Zentrum is known for its modern, accessible, and down-to-earth approach to Zen.
The teacher giving the English classes is Ben Scheres. He is a qualified Zen teacher who has spent his working life in scientific research and teaching.
This offers you the opportunity to practice and study meditation through both traditional and present-day entry points, with the aim to balance your mind and fully prepare it for living in a complex world.
You can find more information on this page about:
– Introductory course
– Open lesson
– Practical information
– History and tradition
– Authorised Zen teachers
– Weekly meditation groups
– Contact
– Register
Also for academics and students
An academic career goes with exciting challenges. The ability to be successful while remaining joyful under mental pressure requires careful management of ambitions and demands. Zen meditation has developed over many centuries.
Briefly, its practice aims to develop deep insights into the human mind, which liberate practitioners from harmful patterns of thoughts and feelings.
The traditional Zen approach and the scientific approach to life
match surprisingly well with each other.
However, there are also interesting differences which will not appear from theoretical analysis but only from real practice.
Practical information
| Date | January 6 – March 3th (2026) (there is a strong wish to continue after March 3rd) |
| Time | 17.45 – 19.30 |
| Fee | € 120,- (fulltime students 15% discount) for 8 classes (it is possible to pay a reduced fee when entering the group at a later moment) |
| Location | Large Zendo in Zentrum |
| Group | Minimal 8 and maximum 16 people |
| Leraar | Ben Scheres |
For practicing Zen at home, which we strongly recommend, a good meditation cushion is essential. We have a limited supply of high-quality meditation cushions for sale at Zentrum.
History and tradition
Our teachings are based on our predecessors. Beginning with the Buddha, it was passed on to 28 Indian patriarchs, then to Bodhidharma – who brought Zen from India to China – and subsequently to six Chinese patriarchs. From there, the Dharma spread across various schools. This lineage likely arose partly to give the schools a historical foundation, tracing back to the Buddha himself. It was also intended to counter criticism and/or justify themselves.
Authorised Zen Teachers
The teachers at Zentrum have years of intensive experience with Zen and can help and support you in your learning process. They know firsthand where the challenges and obstacles lie, but also where progress and enjoyment lie on this journey of discovery.
In Zentrum the teachers of the ongoing groups are all officially authorised Zen teachers who have had Dharma transmission from their teachers. Dharma transmission means receiving the trust from your teacher to pass on “the teaching.” In the Zen tradition, someone is then accepted as a successor in the unbroken line of teachers from the Buddha to the present.
You can find more detailed information about this ‘bloodline’ and the tradition of Zen and Zentrum here (in Dutch).
Weekly meditation groups
After the introductory course – or sooner depending on interest – we want to schedule an ongoing weekly English speaking Zen group.
Many people find meditating in a group, led by a teacher, effective, inspiring, and helpful. The weekly visit to Zentrum offers many welcome support in keeping their Zen practice concrete and alive. Regular practice deepens your roots and strengthens your trunk, as an old Zen master once said.
Each session generally includes two meditation sessions and a Teisho, a talk by the teacher. There is also often the opportunity to have Diasan, a personal conversation with the teacher.
If you can’t join your own class, you can go to a different class that week.
Because personal contact between teacher and student is considered crucial in the Zen tradition, there is always often the opportunity for personal conversations. Questions and other issues related to your Zen path can be discussed. Koan study is also an option.
Contact
For questions about the content and structure of the courses, please use the form below. You can also email the secretariat or call teacher and leader of Zentrum, Willem Scheepers.
Oudegracht 84
3511 AT, Utrecht
Email: secretariaat@zentrum.nl
Telephone: 06 – 207 33 209
Bank: NL 78 INGB 0007 3659 60
Chamber of Commerce number 30132478
Zentrum 