ROLLINSVILLE - Rollinsville has always had a way of blending the unexpected with the familiar. And true to that notion, situated next to the Stage Stop, where the old mercantile used to be, is the Rollinsville Zen Center. 

Since the fall of 2022, the center has been offering a place for stillness, thought, and meditation through the practice of Zen Buddhism.

The center is the result of a partnership between building owner Joe Kinczel, a longtime Rollinsville resident and Zen student, and Hoag Holmgren, a Nederland local who has been practicing at the Zen Center of Denver since the mid-90s. Holmgren became a fully authorized teacher in 2023 and now leads the weekly gatherings.

As a third-generation American Zen teacher, Holmgren is enthused by the intersection of spirituality, creativity, and daily life. He is also an accomplished writer and poet. 

What happens at RZC

The schedule is simple and welcoming. On Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m., visitors gather for two sessions of seated meditation (zazen), one period of walking meditation (kinhin), and an opportunity for personalized one-on-one instruction (dokusan).

Once a month, there’s a half-day or full-day retreat for anyone who wants to dig deeper.

For those who prefer to practice from home, the center also offers daily 25-minute silent meditation sessions online, plus Saturday discussions via Zoom.

Everything is offered freely; donations are welcome but never required.

According to Holmgren, “The practice of Zen involves seated meditation, walking meditation, koan study, mindfulness practices, art practice, discussion, and dialogue.”

This multi-faceted approach is attractive to many individuals seeking to broaden their understanding.

Why Zen, and why here?

Holmgren explains that Zen isn’t about adding more to your life, but about uncovering what’s already there. 

“Zen practice allows you to see beyond the hamster wheel of habitual thinking to uncover a quality of heart and mind that is healing, vast, and alive. As a result, you’re increasingly able to live this one ordinary life with extraordinary depth.”

The Rollinsville Zen Center is part of the Diamond Sangha, an international network of practice centers that began in 1959 with Anne and Robert Aitken. 

Aitken played a key role in bringing authentic Zen training from Japan to the West, translating classic texts and writing books that shaped a generation of practitioners.

What makes it special

Unlike larger meditation centers or commercial studios, RZC is intentionally small and community-focused. It’s less about business and more about service. It’s a place where the Peak to Peak community can gather without barriers. 

The goal, Holmgren says, is to help people recover a sense of inherent wholeness, which naturally leads to a more meaningful and creative life.

Just bring yourself, an open mind, and the willingness to sit. Who knows what you may uncover?

If you go

The Rollinsville Zen Center is located on Main Street, across from Toss Woodfired Eatery. Programs are held on Sundays at 5 p.m., with additional online offerings throughout the week.

For more information, call 303-324-3156, visit https://www.hoagholmgren.com/about, or find them on Facebook under Rollinsville Zen Center. Those who wish to support the center can make a donation during gatherings or through their online community links.