Teens
For Teens 7-12th grade
with Keika Karin San Juan and Jake Nagasawa
2025 Teen Program Winter Session
For Teens 7-12th grade
February 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 2 and Mar 9
11:00-12:30
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 practicing. Although we will practice some Zen forms, you need not consider yourself a Buddhist to attend.
For this winters theme, we'd like to offer a twist on kalyāṇa-mittatā (virtuous friendship), with lessons borrowed from Cuong Le's amazing little book Happiness is Overrated: Simple Lessons on Finding Meaning in Each Moment (purchasing the book is not required to participate in the class - all information will be provided in the lessons). The book is made up of tiny 2-page essays with a suggested question for reflection or meditation. Here are five topics we would weave in with the concept of kalyāṇa-mittatā:
Feb 2, Ch 1: Finding myself / Breathing in, Breathing out (introducing kalyāṇa-mittatā)
Feb 9, Ch 4: The meaning of an apple / Am I my name? (could involve mindfully eating an apple)
Feb 16, Ch 13: Feeling safe / Am I my mind?
Feb 23, Ch 17: Giving and receiving / Am I future generations? (could involve eating oryoki style)
March 2, Ch 22: Freedom / Am I free?
March 9: family outing to the MIA
All teachers and volunteers are vaccinated.
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
