Teens
Teen Practice at Clouds in Water Zen Center
For 7th - 12th graders
In-person only
October 19 & 26, and November 2, 9, 16, & 23 (includes one family-friendly outing)
Suggested donation: $25 for the entire program
11 am - 12:30 pm
Plus: Special Rohatsu Ceremony December 7 (9 - 10:30 am)
Theme: Walking in Peace
With Keika Karin San Juan and Jake Nagasawa
The Teen Group is a combination of basic Buddhist teachings, fun activities, and social time. We practice inclusivity, self-awareness, and basic values such as honesty, patience, and compassion, as they relate to teen life. Participants will have a chance to practice various meditation techniques including some mindful movement practices. Although we will practice some Zen forms, you need not consider yourself a Buddhist to attend.
Our youth, family and teen programs are committed to anit-racist and LGBTQ+ inclusive education. For details, see Clouds in Water's Statement on Non-Harming on our website.
For more information about Teen Practice, contact keika@cloudsinwater.org
Registration is encouraged but not required.
Weekly themes
Each session consists of a theme that our leaders, Jake and Keika, explore with your teen. What does it mean to be kind in this world? How do we deal with social media, transphobia, and…zits?
Strategies for Coping with Stress
Being a teen is hard. We’ve got your back! Deep breaths, a bit of low-key meditation, and real talk.
Community
Hanging out, talking about the stuff that matters, and being in a safe space is what we’re all about.
Your Fearless Leaders
Keika Karin San Juan (she/her) is a Zen priest-in-training, professor at Macalester, and owns at least one bonsai tree. She lives with her wife in St. Paul, where they kick up all kinds of trouble.
Jake Nagasawa (he/him) likes ice-cream, obviously.
He’s currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of American Studies at Macalester College. He teaches courses in the fields of Asian American studies and religious studies. He has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
He’s a member of Clouds in Water’s Ethics and Reconciliation (EAR) committee.
Give them
space to breathe
Going to a teen group on a Sunday might not initially sound awesome, but this is a special community that your teen is sure to find some kindred spirits in. We keep it real and there is ALWAYS ICE-CREAM. #bonus
