The Clear Water Zen Center, an authentic Zen Buddhist meditation center for the Tampa Bay – St. Petersburg — Clearwater area, is open several times during the week for sitting meditation.
Our Schedule
You don't have to let us know if you wish to attend any of the weekly meditation sessions. All are welcome.
Wednesday evening beginners training at 6:45 pm:
We will guide you through the process and describe our Zen practice. You may also want to stay for tea, discussion, and questions.
We recommend that newcomers attend the beginners session. If you can't attend this training, you are welcome to attend on other days, but please arrive 15 minutes early, so we can show you around.
Mondays and Fridays at 7 pm:
We host an hour-long session of three 20-minute sittings with walking meditation (kinhin) in between.
Formal Sunday morning session at 9:30 am:
This includes three 35-minute sittings with walking meditation (kinhin).
Please take a look at our schedule for more details about Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday meditation, workshops, retreats, and other events.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Parking for Clear Water Zen Center: Please park in the unpaved parking spots marked by yellow parking curbs in front of the Clear Water Zen Center. The paved parking lot is reserved for the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Please remove your shoes before entering the center and place them on the shelves outside the front door.
The zendo, or meditation room, is furnished with sitting cushions and chairs. Clothing should be comfortable, modest, and plain.
Donations for all meditation sessions for all meditation sessions are appreciated but not required. There is a donation box in the entry area.
We welcome any comments or questions that you may have! Feel free to email us at info@clearwaterzencenter.org or call us at (727) 537-0869.
Monthly Book Club: August 27, 2026
The book club usually meets on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
We are reading Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell version. You don't have to read the book to participate in the discussion.
Zazenkai One-day Sitting: September 12, 2026
We typically hold a zazenkai every other month on a Saturday. We have two entry times: 6:30 am and 8:15 am., ending about 4:30 pm. Our day includes chanting, a dharma talk with Jeff George, our assistant teacher, work period, rest periods, and meeting with Jeff, our Assistant Teacher.
Mini-Sesshins
These retreats are usually held twice a year. They typically begin on Thursday evening with a tea ceremony and end on Saturday evening, followed by our usual Sunday morning formal Zazen session.
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The practice of our sangha follows the traditions and teachings of Roshi Philip Kapleau (1912-2004), whose book The Three Pillars of Zen was instrumental in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West.