After 17 years cultivating mindfulness in St. Paul's Lowertown, Clouds in Water Zen Center has moved.

It didn't go far, though. Committed to staying east of the river, the center is offering its slate of meditation and Buddhism classes near the Sears building at 445 Farrington St.

"Lowertown was wonderful for the center, but as the area has developed, all to the benefit of the city. It made it a little harder for an organization dedicated to quiet and meditation," said executive director Will Hegeman. "The board made the decision that we had to stay in St. Paul, but we needed to look at other options ... Then we found this wonderful building."

The organization owns the new space. It had rented its old home on Prince Street behind Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar.

That change will allow the center to expand its community outreach and bring in more "mission-compatible" practices, such as yoga and tai chi, Hegeman said.

Clouds in Water Zen Center offers classes on Buddhist meditation as well as courses on the history of Zen Buddhism. The center also offers Sunday services.

Sarah Horner can be reached at 651-228-5539. Follow her at twitter.com/hornsarah.

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St. Paul Zen center relocates from Lowertown to Farrington Street