A Community of Mindful Living in the Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in Helena, Montana. (check out other webpages for our sister communities in other towns)

We meet in-person in Helena for meditation and programs. Check back here for updated information for each session to find out what’s scheduled - sometimes we meet in special locations for walking meditation or other events.

Our in-person Zendo is at 15 W. Placer Street (see map below).

Beginners are always welcome. Please join a little early if you would like to ask some questions.

Programming Schedule:

September 2026

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 to 8:30 pm

September 1 - Five Mindfulness Trainings (Zan and Lia)

September 8 - Book Study: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet (Sue and Connie)

September 15 - Sutra Study: Discourse on Measuring and Reflecting (Ann)

September 22 - Fall Equinox outdoor walk at the Covenant United Methodist Church Labyrinth, 2330 E Broadway St. (Sarah and Rachel)

September 29 - Review of Retreat (Sandi)

Friday Morning 8:30 to 11:30 am

Friday Morning September 4 - Monthly Friday morning of meditation (M)

Want to meditate online? Our sister sangha Open Way Missoula has an online option, please sign up here for their newsletter if you are interested.

Join us for a Day of Mindfulness in October:

Registration opens September 22 - check back here for link.

Zan’s 50-year journey of reading and writing all kinds of poetry started in high school. Six years ago her attention was directed toward Zen poetry by Dharma Teacher Barbara Newell. Zan found that “reading Tang dynasty poets renewed my spiritual practice. It opened my eyes again to the world’s beauty and to the joy and poignancy of human life.” She offers this workshop in the spirit of inspiring and strengthening the practice of the participants also. Zan ordained as a lay member of the Order of Interbeing in 2005, with the Dharma name True Mountain of Light.

This Day of Mindfulness will begin with sitting and walking meditation, both guided and silent, to establish ourselves in the here and now. We will immerse ourselves in reading and listening to Zen poetry, from ancient Asians to modern Americans. During the day we will be practice expressing our experience as short poems, to both root ourselves in the moment and to share it. Beginner’s mind is necessary; no experience in meditation or in poetry writing is needed. To register, please complete the form. Space is limited, and registration ends October 21. If you must cancel, please let us know before that date. Scholarships are available.

Information for in person meetings in the Zendo at 15 W. Placer (in the Om Dome space)
You are invited to join the entire meditation time, or you can join in at any point during the movement meditations. (Typically there is a green card on vacant seats). Please quietly wait in the coat area until movement meditation commences, and then simply join the flow. For those who wish to stay for the programming, we hope you’ll be able to stay for the entire program. We have chairs and pads with cushions at the Zendo space.

Dana/Donations

Meditation and discussions are offered freely. Your donations will, however, help keep a roof over our heads and support our community to practice together at Days of Mindfulness and retreats. Thank you for your acts of generosity and community.

Monthly or one-time gifts can be made by:

clicking the donate button above to use paypal
sending a check to Flowing Mountains, PO Box 1466, Helena, MT 59624

Discussion Guidelines

~ We are invited to practice deep listening and loving mindful speech.

~ We speak from the heart about topics that emanate from our life and practice and avoid theoretical discussions. Using “I” statements helps us to speak from our own experience.

~ When you wish to speak, bow in and say your name; when finished bow out.

~ All that is shared stays within the circle; later if we want to talk with someone about what they shared, we ask their permission.

~ We refrain from speaking a second time until it appears all have had a chance to speak.

~ We avoid giving advice.

~ We share with the whole circle and avoid cross talk.

~ We are encouraged to speak mindfully – not too much and not too little, in accordance with the number of participants.

Flowing Mountains Sangha
15 W. Placer Ave
Helena, MT 59624

Contact Flowing Mountains Sangha

(Maybe you have a question, or want to receive our monthly program announcements by email?)