Welcome.
We're glad you stopped by.
A Zen school on Joy Street.
You found us during Open Studios — thank you for taking a moment to look closer.
The Mind Light Way is a Zen school and 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon and Zen teacher Nadia Mounsif. We teach meditation, dharma, and the meditative arts — open to everyone, no experience needed. Whether you're curious about Zen, looking for a community, or seeking a deeper path of practice, there's a place for you here.
Below: three ways to begin, whenever you're ready.
— BEGIN
free and open to all. Drop in any time.
Guided Meditation — 1st Thursday of every month. For anyone curious about meditation, or wanting to sit in community.
Dharma Talks — 3rd Thursday of every month, with Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon. Teachings on mind, Zen, and practice.
Zen Writer's & Poet's Society — 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month. Where meditation meets writing.
Zen Artist's Collective — 3rd Sunday of every month. A sanctuary for creative practice.
A community to support one another.
Dates & Times subject to change. Please check the calendar for the actual times.
— DEEPEN
The Inner Circle: For those who want to practice with us.
Practice grows through community, consistency, and shared experience. The Inner Circle is the practice community of the Mind Light Way School — a place to stay connected to the teachings and to each other.
What members receive:
Monthly Inner Circle gatherings, tea, and seasonal practice events
Member Q&A sessions with teachers
Zen reading and koan exploration groups
Early access to retreats and workshops
A private online community space
Membership: $40 / month. Membership also helps sustain the school and keeps our public offerings free.
— TRAIN
The Path To Mastery: For those called to the deeper path.
The Path to Mastery is the formal Zen training program of the Mind Light Way School — a way of deepening your understanding, your presence, and your capacity to serve others. It is guided directly by Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon and Zen Teacher Nadia Mounsif.
The path unfolds through four ranks, each marking a deeper commitment to practice, study, and community:
Community Ambassador — the entry point. A commitment to support the sangha and begin formal training.
Associate Instructor — the first teaching-level rank. Trainees take on limited teaching responsibilities under supervision.
Instructor — an authorized teacher within the school, supporting the next generation of trainees.
Zen Master — full transmission. Teaches independently and may establish affiliated Zen Centers.
Zen training is deeply personal. Each student walks this path under the direct guidance of Zen Master Rizzon, working with koans, study, and the unique challenges of their own practice. The ranks serve as orientation points, not checklists. The real tests arise in each moment.
Commitment: $120 / month, tax-deductible as a donation to the school. Most students begin their journey in the Inner Circle before stepping onto the Path.
Walk in. Sit down. Begin.
We're at 86 Joy Street, Studio 5R, Somerville. You're welcome any time the doors are open — to sit, to listen, to ask a question, or just to see the space.
If you'd like to hear from us occasionally, leave your email below. And if anything you read here stayed with you, that's worth something. Trust it.
Quick links: [See upcoming classes] [Inner Circle] [Path to Mastery] [Contact us]