Sit Salt Creek is a nonprofit organization registered in the state of Illinois. Our goal is to provide the space and opportunity for local residents to discover and deepen their meditation practice and to build a community in the process.

Sit Salt Creek was started in late 2024 by local resident Josh Dolitsky. After spending a few years practicing with the Chicago Zen Meditation Community, Josh was inspired to form a similar local community upon moving to the western suburbs

The type of meditation practiced is Zen-based (zazen). For those unfamiliar, this typically means silent, seated meditation for extended periods of time.

Traditionally, the practitioner sits on a cushion (zafu) atop a mat (zabuton), but it is perfectly acceptable to sit upright in a chair. Below is an image of the various ways to sit:

For detailed Zen meditation instructions, you can watch this video.

Absolutely! Sit Salt Creek is dedicated to making the practice of meditation accessible to everyone. There is no wrong way to meditate.

If you have any questions ahead of time, we are more than happy to answer them. Just send an email to info@sitsaltcreek.org.

We have a limited number of cushions and outdoor blankets which will be provided on a first come basis. You are encouraged to bring a folding chair or your own cushion if you have one.

If there is no seat available, you can also sit on the nearby picnic benches if not being used. Keep in mind that Sit Salt Creek has not reserved the picnic groves.

Yes (with the exception of during the winter months / indoor sessions at Save the Prairie Society.)

Unless it is raining heavily, we will proceed to meet outside at scheduled times in any weather. Let the brisk morning air be a great start to your day.

It is very important to dress appropriately for the weather, including multiple layers and hats/gloves when necessary.

In the deep of winter, it may be entirely too cold to go outside for extended periods of time. In these instances, sessions will be cancelled.

We will make a best effort to provide 24 hours notice on the front page of this website and on Facebook whether the next day’s session is a go or no-go.

We may begin to explore an indoor space for the winter months. More info coming soon.

No! A typical Zen sitting is about 30-40 minutes. Sit Salt Creek sessions will be 2 hours long, but you are absolutely not expected to meditate for this long.

The group leader will ring a bell every 15 minutes (e.g. 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45) as a time-keeping mechanism for the other practitioners. These bells will ring at exactly these times in case people have somewhere to be afterwards. You do not need to wait for the bell to take your seat or leave.

If you intend to sit with us for a long period of time (45m+), you are encouraged to stand up and stretch your legs periodically. You might also possibly spend one of the 15 minute segments in walking meditation (kinhin) before returning to your seat.

No. Sit Salt Creek is a nonprofit organization that does not intend to make money. At some point in the future we may accept donations in order to offset the cost of permits, insurance, etc.

Yes! Please send us an email info@sitsaltcreek.org