This review is about my experience staying at the Temple for few nights, not the meditation sits,…read morewhich were great! Years back, I had stayed few days at the Zen Buddhist Temple, which was ran by this nice lady monk who had since moved. Because I had a phenomenal and transformative experience, I decided to come back for a second retreat! When I came back, the Temple was ran by a male monk from Korea (could be the same monk now, not sure), and I left there with an uncomfortable and unpleasant time. Reflecting on this, I realized that there were certain assumptions that the male monk failed to inform me, before I checked in. I don't want to go into exact details of what those issues were because I don't want to ruin people's view of the Temple. But, if you have any plans to stay at the Temple overnight, ask what rules and expectations are for guests, especially when it comes to the access and use of the kitchen...

Very welcoming and friendly experience. We were introduced to the meditation center from a friend…read moreand will continue to go. I highly recommend if you are looking for a Zen Buddhist temple.

This is a great group for both novices and veterans. The atmosphere is friendly, and new people are…read morewelcomed without uncomfortable attention, which makes attending easy. Roger/Myoshi, a Buddhist priest who is also a psychologist, shares inspiring stories and teachings, with a style that is warm and personable. Lastly, I love the time of the day (mid afternoon), it is like a booster of peacefulness in my work day.

I have attended several Zen groups in the Chicago area, and this is the one I will stay with. The…read moremeeting consists of a half hour of sitting meditation, ten minutes of walking meditation, and a dharma talk, with some time for questions and discussions. There is something very enjoyable about practicing the Buddha's teachings in a Loop office building during the middle of the work week. Myoshi, the Buddhist priest and clinical psychologist who leads the group, has had extensive training in Zen and is an extremely skilled teacher. His talks make Buddhist concepts accessible and relevant to daily living. The group atmosphere is welcoming and accepting. Practitioners at all levels are invited, and I would especially recommend this group to people who are interested in meditation but have been hesitant or confused about finding a helpful teacher and community.

Warm and welcoming community with inspiring messages! There's a Café ran by (optional) donations…read moreserving delicious coffee and variety teas. Nice to go back weekly with friendly faces that greet you when you walk in.

This is one of the greatest churches in Chicago!!! The worship experience is amazing and the people…read moreare even better. Check out more at www.victorychicago.com

This place is truly a marvel, especially if you're into art and architecture. The craftsmanship…read morethroughout the temple is incredible. The detailed wood carvings alone are enough to leave you amazed, and it's hard to imagine how the artisans were able to create such intricate designs with so much precision. The highlight for me was the beautifully carved marble inside the main temple. I learned that the marble was sourced from Turkey, sent to India to be carved, and then brought here. The amount of talent and dedication that went into creating those masterpieces is just remarkable. Unfortunately, photography isn't allowed inside the main temple since it is a sacred place of worship, so I wasn't able to take any pictures to share. As a Catholic, I visited simply to see the temple and appreciate its architecture, and I was genuinely impressed. The marble carvings inside are absolutely breathtaking and something you really need to see in person to appreciate. Whether you're interested in architecture, art, culture, or simply beautiful places, this is definitely a must-visit. I highly recommend stopping by if you have the chance.

Great job and great project for the team keep it going guys I am very proud of you and your work no…read morehuman can do this

The Bahai Temple is a place for all to come and meditate or pray. The temple itself has so many…read moresymbolic motifs incorporated into its architecture that represents all religions. Their grounds are well maintained and gorgeous with plants, flowers, and water features. They have a Welcome Center that explains the history and symbolism to truly appreciate everything this temple has to offer. I recommend stopping here to not only take in its beauty but to connect to faith as a whole. Tip: No Photography is allowed inside the Temple.

Truly a remarkably tranquil and beautiful house of worship. The gardens are lovely, especially in…read morespring and summer. The welcome center has a lot of useful literature on the Baha'i faith, and it's wonderful to learn more about this incredibly inclusive and peaceful religion, and saddening to hear about the persecution of Baha'i people. I've visited the Lotus Baha'i temple in Delhi before, and the building in Chicago is significantly smaller and less of an architectural marvel. However, unlike the temple in Delhi, the house of worship in Chicago is not a tourist destination. This allows for more serene contemplation, away from the hustle and bustle of the main city. The Baha'i hous of worship is easily accessible by public transport and also has ample parking. The restrooms in the welcome center are spotless. Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the House of Worship. It's not a typical tourist destination, but is instead truly a place for contemplation and silence.

The moment you walk through the doors of this temple you immediately experience the warmth and…read morekindness of the Cambodian community and their Monks. This is a temple that is devoted to the culture and the meaning of the Cambodian experience. Despite the tragedies of the past, the community remains hopeful and optimistic of all the future can hold thanks in part to the guidance of the Cambodian clergy and the community leaders.

Yay! i'm number one, I'm number one!…read more First off, I've been going to Unitarian churches for about 15 years. It's my kind of place in general. If you are in between religions, or never had a religion and want some place to get your guided meditational/centered thoughts/sense of community/at peace with yourself fix, check it out. I highly recommend the book "Finding Your Religion" by Scotty McLennan. I've been a member at Third Unitarian for about two years now and have been going off and on for about five. This is one of the few churches where you can hear the pastor sing Lou Reed songs as part of his Sunday sermon, be encouraged to have an argument with the pastor, not feel outcast if you question the beliefs that you've been taught (this is encouraged), or get a full Earth, Wind, and Fire concert (Ba-di-yah, said do you remember! Ba-di-yah, dancing in September! I swear. People dancing in the aisles to "Sing a Song". It was awesome.) Aside from that, it is truly a warm place with funny, crazy, and loving people who work hard at making you feel welcome (but not that creepy welcome kind of thing. You know what I'm talking about.) If you are looking for a place to be able to embrace a wide diversity of beliefs, find your own set of beliefs, get involved in social action projects, or just drink coffee, eat cake, and chat with some amazing people who have lived truly historical and interesting lives, then Third Unitarian is your church. It is at the crossroads of two very different neighborhoods (Austin...not so affluent and Oak Park...much more affluent). The church has a rich civil rights history, hosting some great speakers, including Martin Luther King Jr. Speaking of diversity, everyone is welcome at TUC. It's a "welcoming congregation" which basically means that if you're LGBTQ (or if your hair is green or whatever) you're welcome there. It's definitely a "come as you are" kind of place, so don't feel the need to dress up when you come. Also, if you have kids and you want them to have a wide understanding of religion, I highly recommend TUC - the religious education program is comprehensive and pretty inclusive. I'll let others speak to that as I have no kids. Anyway, feel free to contact me if you have questions or you are thinking about going. It really is a great place.

Love the warmth, services, history and feeling of belonging every time I attend. I have been a…read moremember most of my adult life and preceded by my Father and his Mother who were members there throughout time. The High Holiday's are my favorite time of year and are a wonderful Conservative approach to Judaism which will welcome you with open arms! Andrew W.

I moved to downtown Chicago to take a new job from another city. Just as I found an apartment…read moreconvenient to work, I found a Conservative shul also close to the apartment. What I found was much more. Able to feel the Kavanah while praying, a wonderfully friendly group of people that welcomed me as if we have always know each other. Having come from a large shul I found it easy to fit in. Conveniently located in the office building across Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute. (122 S Michigan, Suite 1449). Come by any Shabbat to both pray and socialize.