Michael Swerdloff of Providence Holistic Counseling Services has been hired as the new Director at Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, RI! He is a resident at The Center and will continue meeting with his clients in private practice on-site as well. The Director position at Providence Zen Center expands his role and offers his unique skills, experience, and insights to the community.
The Director at Providence Zen Center is a position focused on community outreach and Sangha building, as well as on website maintenance, rentals, guest stays, and registration for PZC programs. Of course, there is the day-to-day communication with the community through email, phone, social media, and weekly updates.
The Director at Providence Zen Center needs to accurately represent the Center as its voice to the community. This includes what we do, how we do it, and encouraging participation by new and current members in our regular and special activities and events. Michael is an ideal representative for the Zen Center due to his commitment to meditation, healing, and personal and spiritual growth and development, regardless of an individual’s personal/spiritual background, culture, tradition, or lifestyle.
New Director at Providence Zen Center
The Providence Zen Center is a residential and non-residential community of lay persons and monastics in rural Rhode Island. Founded by Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn, it is the head temple of the North American Kwan Um School of Zen. The mission of the Providence Zen Center is to provide Zen training for all, through daily practice, regularly scheduled retreats and an international exchange of teachers and practitioners. We welcome newcomers and teach how to meditate via weekly classes.
Anyone is welcome to join the daily practice sessions. Newcomers can join the practice by following the forms as given through orientation. If you are visiting for the first time and cannot attend the Introduction to Zen class, please ask the Head Dharma Teacher for orientation. You are always welcome to ask questions of any Dharma Teacher (senior student wearing long robes) or other students at the center. Please follow the link to the schedule of our meditation instruction classes that are available for newcomers. Free and open to all newcomers, this class offers an orientation to Zen meditation.
The Providence Zen Center is a residential and non-residential community of lay persons and monastics in rural Rhode Island. Founded by Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn, it is the head temple of the international Kwan Um School of Zen.
The mission of the Providence Zen Center is to provide Zen training for all, through daily practice, regularly scheduled retreats and an international exchange of teachers and practitioners. Zen practice helps us to realize our true self and serve this world with wisdom and compassion.
In order to fulfill our mission, we commit ourselves to encourage strong practice, provide a welcoming environment, work towards self-sufficiency, and serve as a resource for the local and the wider community. We welcome newcomers and teach how to meditate via weekly classes.
New Director at Providence Zen Center – Guest Stay Program
Our Guest Stay program is designed to allow folks to stay in the Zen Center and experience community life for a short period of time, without the rigorous schedule of a retreat. All faiths and cultures are welcome to come learn more about Zen Center life and our Buddhist practice. We offer morning and evening meditation in the Kwan Um School of Zen tradition which includes bowing, chanting and sitting Zen. Meals are included in the overnight training fee and are on a help yourself basis, but usually you can find one of our staff or residents preparing a large meal for everyone to enjoy at least once a day. Participate in our daily work meeting and volunteer an hour or so of your time to help with different jobs around the property. Or if you have your own work to do, head back to your private room or find a quiet place to do it. With four different Dharma rooms and 50 acres of property there’s always a place to meditate if your looking for a spot where you can do extra practice during the day or night. We also have many on-going programs that run through-out the year, including but not limited to, meditation instruction classes, intensive meditation retreats, Wednesday night community dinners, Chinese calligraphy classes, a martial arts club, tea “ceremonies”, and Yoga workshops.
Update: I have not been the Director or a resident at PZC for several years. If you have not yet had the opportunity to practice at PZC, I encourage you to do so.
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Michael Swerdloff
Providence Holistic Counseling Services