Teacher-Student Interviews

Working with a teacher privately in interview is called dokusan and is central to the practice of Zen.

Signing up for private interview with a teacher can be done regularly. Typically, these one-on-one conversations are offered at practice periods and last 5-10 minutes and are an opportunity for students to ask questions or get Zen practice instructions and encouragement. If a teacher has previously practiced with a student, online dokusan is possible.

It is a time to ask questions about your Zen practice life. It offers students the opportunity to ask questions about their practice, any difficulties with Zazen, or to deepen their insight into a question they may be working with. It is not a time to discuss philosophy of Zen. What is your practice right now? Right here!

The protocol is to enter the room after the teacher rings the bell for you to enter. Make one standing bow to the teacher. Sit down and bow to each other. State your practice (counting breaths, breath awareness, Mu-breath, koan or shikantaza). At the end, bow to each other. Turn around and bow again leaving the room.

A student should sit with and reflect on what was said between Student and Teacher.