Minnesota Zen Meditation CenterBiography
Ben Connelly began Zen practice at MZMC in 2001, was ordained in 2009, and received dharma transmission in 2015.
He has taught mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts, including police training and addiction recovery groups.
He works with multifaith groups focused on social and ecological justice, and has served as president of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and chairperson of the Minnesota Multifaith Network.
Ben travels to teach across the United States and has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines.
Ben lives with his spouse of many years, with whom he enjoys a blended family with five adult children.
Books
- 2025
- Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World (Wisdom Publications). Huayan Buddhism arose in sixth-century China. Its emphasis on interdependence and on the diversity of people and practices has much to offer in a time of deepening divisions. Inside the Flower Garland Sutra at Wisdom Publications
- 2022
- Vasubandhu’s “Three Natures”. A plain-English commentary on Yogacara Buddhism that joins early Buddhist psychology with the Mahayana emphasis on collective liberation. Vasubandhu’s “Three Natures” at Simon & Schuster
- 2019
- Mindfulness and Intimacy (Wisdom Publications). On pairing mindfulness with intimacy, community and interdependence.
- 2016
- Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara: A Practitioner’s Guide (Wisdom Publications). A guide to Vasubandhu’s “Thirty Verses on Consciousness Only”. Foreword by Norman Fischer.
- 2014
- Inside the Grass Hut: Living Shitou’s Classic Poem (Wisdom Publications). On Shitou Xiqian’s Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage and its themes of simple living, calm, and connection to all things. Foreword by Taigen Dan Leighton.
The newest book is also available at the center.
Practice with Ben
Please register one week in advance. If cost is a concern, scholarships are available.
- Sept 30 – Nov 18 Fall Practice Period. Koans: Passing Through the Gateless Barrier
- Nov 29 – Dec 6 Rohatsu Sesshin
Listen to Ben
Five of 103 recordings in the Sunday talk archive.
- Sept 7, 2025 Book launch for Inside the Flower Garland Sutra Talk
- July 16, 2023 A Pilgrim in Community Talk
- June 4, 2023 Zazen Is Collective Practice Talk
- Jan 2, 2022 In Memory of bell hooks Talk
- Nov 7, 2021 Sangha, Intimacy, Teachers, and Power Talk