Why Helping Matters in Zen

In the Zen tradition, students have always learned through direct experience—often by working alongside their teacher and helping maintain the temple grounds. Whether sweeping floors, arranging cushions, or preparing meals, these seemingly ordinary tasks become opportunities for mindfulness, humility, and insight. They ground our practice in the present moment and cultivate the awareness that every action is a reflection of your mind.

As a Community Ambassador, your efforts also help weave the fabric of our community. Working directly with Zen Master Rizzon and other dedicated practitioners allows you to receive personal guidance, build strong relationships, and deepen your understanding of the teachings. Supporting the school is more than an act of service—it’s a form of practice. In helping others, you are actively training your own mind.

The Mind Light Way School of Zen depends on the participation of its members to grow and share these teachings with a wider audience. We are always looking for help with administrative tasks, marketing, social media, and the upkeep and improvement of our physical space. If you have skills or interest in any of these areas—or simply want to lend a hand—please let us know!

We will continue organizing group service opportunities, but in the meantime, there are many meaningful ways you can contribute. Every small act makes a difference.

Ways You Can Help

Attend Our Classes

Guided Meditations · Dharma Talks · Workshops · Art & Writing Groups

• Showing up matters. Our classes are often how new people first connect with the school, and your presence helps create a welcoming, vibrant community. Attending regularly not only deepens your own practice but gives you valuable experience in how classes are facilitated—experience that will prepare you to lead in the future.

• Bringing a friend is a wonderful way to share what you’ve discovered and help others take their first step on the path. The people you invite may end up becoming lifelong members of the community, and your simple gesture can have a lasting impact.

Help Amplify Our Message Online

YouTube · Facebook · Instagram · Threads · Bluesky · Mastodon · LinkedIn

• Liking, subscribing, following, and sharing our content helps expand the reach of our teachings. Every interaction improves how our content is ranked by social media algorithms—meaning more people will see it.

• Watching or rewatching our videos also helps you pick up on nuances you may have missed live, enriching your own training as a future teacher.

• We’re also looking for someone to help manage our LinkedIn presence by reposting select content from our other platforms and keeping the page updated. If you’re detail-oriented and interested in helping with this small but important task, let us know!

Welcoming and Mentoring New Students

Greeting · Orientation · Peer Support

• As someone further along the path, your presence can be a steadying force for those just starting out. You don’t need to be an expert—just open, present, and kind. If you're comfortable, you might greet newcomers, help orient them to our classes, or even check in occasionally to help them feel supported. This is how sangha grows strong—through genuine connection.

Retreat and Event Support

Setup · Hospitality · Coordination · Follow-Up

• Helping before, during, or after retreats and events can be a powerful way to serve the community and deepen your practice. From setting up mats and tea to welcoming guests or assisting with tech and timing, these moments offer opportunities to practice presence and care. If you’re organized, friendly, or just eager to lend a hand, we always appreciate the support.

Help Care for the Zen Art Center

Cleaning · Organizing · Space Optimization · Creative Solutions

• Our physical space is a reflection of our collective mind. Helping to maintain the Zen Art Center—whether by sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, or organizing—supports a clean, clear environment for everyone who enters.

• If you enjoy optimizing space or implementing creative storage solutions, we would love your help putting those ideas into action! Anytime you're at the center and feel inspired to lend a hand, your contribution is deeply appreciated.

Support Us on Google

Business Profile · Reviews · Online Presence

• Helping us build and maintain our online presence is a meaningful way to support the school. We’re currently in need of assistance setting up a Google Business Profile for the Mind Light Way School of Zen, as well as updating and improving the existing profile for The Zen Art Center. If you have experience with this—or are willing to learn—we’d love your help!

• In the meantime, one simple but powerful way to support us is by leaving a 5-star review for The Zen Art Center on Google. Your words can help others find their way to the path.

Fundraising Help

Personal Outreach · Business Sponsorships · Creative Campaigns

• Building financial support for the school is one of the most impactful ways you can help us grow. As a Community Ambassador, you can support our mission by reaching out within your personal and professional networks—inviting others to contribute to a cause that aligns with compassion, mindfulness, and creative transformation.

• We’re especially looking for help identifying individuals who may be interested in becoming monthly donors, offering one-time gifts, or sponsoring specific projects and events. If you have connections to local businesses, wellness communities, or philanthropic circles, your introductions could help us build the support we need to sustain and expand our offerings.

• You can also assist by brainstorming or organizing small fundraising events—such as benefit classes, art sales, or community dinners. Every conversation, every share, and every connection helps us keep the light on and the doors open.

If you’re passionate about our mission and want to help us fund the future, we’d love to collaborate with you.

Skilled Labor or Professional Services

Tech · Carpentry · Design · Legal · Accounting · Photography

• Do you have professional skills or trades experience you’d like to offer in service of the Dharma? From website fixes and bookkeeping to small repairs or helping capture high-quality event photos, these contributions are deeply valuable. If you think your skills could benefit the school, let us know—we’re happy to find meaningful ways to collaborate.

Every Act Matters

Thank you for your commitment to the Mind Light Way School of Zen. Your involvement—no matter how big or small—helps create the conditions for others to awaken, grow, and connect. This path is not walked alone; it’s built step by step, moment by moment, through shared effort and sincere intention.

We have a long wish list of things that need doing—so if you're looking for a way to get involved or unsure where to begin, just ask. There's always a place for your energy, your skills, and your presence.

Together, we are shaping a community rooted in clarity, compassion, and creativity. Thank you for walking this path with us.