Weekly Zen Meditation with Billy Wynne and Roaring Fork Zen

Roaring Fork Zen (RFZ) is a new Zen meditation community based in Carbondale, Colorado. We offer free authentic Zen instruction and practice to the Roaring Fork Valley from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.

Roaring Fork Zen gathers for weekly Zen meditation sessions, typically two, 25-minute rounds of zazen (seated meditation) with a brief round of kinhin (walking meditation) in between. We open and close with brief, optional recitations from the Zen tradition.

Participation is free and open to all. No experience necessary, beginners welcome!

Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to get settled before we begin.

All are invited to reference regarding our approach before you arrive.

On the first Monday of each month, we dedicate the first portion of the session to briefly introducing (or refreshing) participants regarding Zen practice. Then we have a 20-minute round of zazen followed by informal Q&A and discussion.

RFZ is a 501c3 nonprofit affiliated with the Zen Center of Denver, which was commissioned by Philip Kapleau and is a member of the Diamond and White Plum sanghas in the Harada-Yasutani lineage of American Zen. This branch of Zen is particularly honed for lay practitioners to support the awakening of our inherent wisdom and compassion in the context of our daily lives.

While we reference insights and texts passed down to us from those who came before, Zen does not ask us to subscribe to preconceived beliefs or external sources of authority. If anything, the path of Zen redirects us back to the validity, beauty, and clarity of our own direct life experience.

RFZ is facilitated by Billy Wynne with the permission of his teacher, Peggy Metta Sheehan Roshi, and the RFZ Board, which includes Karin Ryuku Kempe Roshi. Peggy and Karin are the Spiritual Directors of the Zen Center of Denver.

Please connect with us at d2VsY29tZSB8IHJvYXJpbmdmb3JremVuICEgb3Jn with any questions you might have. Whether you are a long-time practitioner or brand new beginner, you are perfectly welcome and honored here.

Participation is free and open to all.

At Roaring Fork Zen, you will find:

• Authentic Zen practice
• Warm, inclusive community
• Clear, encouraging guidance
• Supportive space for silent meditation
• Open-hearted, dogma-free inquiry
• Cultivation of equanimity, clarity, and compassion in your daily life

Billy Wynne is a long-time member of the Zen Center of Denver, where he received lay ordination in 2020 and currently serves on the board. He is also a certified teacher in the Vipassana meditation tradition.

Billy is the author of : Finding Fulfillment Through the Radical Art of Lessening, published by New World Library in March 2025, and is pursuing a Masters in Buddhist Studies at the Institute for Buddhist Studies in Berkeley.

A health and well-being entrepreneur, Billy founded Awake, an alcohol-free bar in Denver, and Impact Health, a mission-driven consultancy. He is an appointed member of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Advisory Board, which is implementing the state’s new psychedelic therapy program. Billy has also served on the boards of Operation Smile, Cherish Children Adoption International, and 365Health.

Billy received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and J.D. from UVA Law. For fun, he skis, travels with his family, and plays keyboard in improvisational rock bands. He recently moved to Carbondale with his wife, son, and two shih-poos, Oscar and Archie. Their daughter is in college. You can learn more about Billy at https://billywynne.com/

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This programming is brought to you through the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to co-creating a world where individuals and communities thrive from a sense of inspiration, connection, and self-discovery.

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If you are interested in donating to support more programming like this, please visit our website: https://connectionisthemedicine.com/donate

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At True Nature + Connection is the Medicine Foundation, we strive to create intentional, nourishing spaces and experiences for community connection and personal growth. To support a respectful and easeful experience for all, please review our event etiquette and cancellation policies below.

True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation reserve the right to cancel any program or event at any time. In the event of a cancellation by TN or the Foundation, participants will receive a full refund. Please note that certain programs may have unique cancellation policies—refer to individual program descriptions for specific details.

For all refund or transfer requests, contact Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming at: bWVnYW4gfCB0cnVlbmF0dXJlaGVhbGluZ2FydHMgISBjb20=

To support the integrity of the experience for all participants, we ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

• Arrival Time: Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in and settle. Most events begin promptly and late arrivals will not be admitted.
• Late Attendance: Doors will close at the stated start time (e.g., 8:00 AM) to honor the sacred nature of the container and minimize disruptions.
• Substance Use: We ask that all guests arrive free of the influence of drugs or alcohol to maintain a clear, safe, and respectful space.

As these are shared community experiences, we kindly ask that you:

• Be mindful of personal hygiene and health
• Respect personal space and boundaries
• Refrain from using scented products that may affect others

Thank you for co-creating a respectful and enriching experience with us. We look forward to welcoming you into our sacred space.

If you have questions or concerns regarding Event Etiquette and Policies, you may reach out to Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming: bWVnYW4gfCB0cnVlbmF0dXJlaGVhbGluZ2FydHMgISBjb20=

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