NEWCOMERS and VISITORS

We welcome newcomers and visitors, with or without prior experience in Zen.

We strongly recommend you attend one of our Introduction classes, or request Zen instruction on Tuesday afternoons or Sunday evenings. Contact us for an appointment at Registration@joyfulmindzendo.org.

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN PRACTICE CLASS. Our next one is Sunday July 5 2026 from 6:00-7:00 pm.

What to Expect in Zen meditation practice periods…

• Arrive early (10-15 minutes) since we ring the bell to start meditation on time and end on time. If you are late, please sit in the chairs provided outside the Zendo and wait until walking meditation starts and then join us. Someone will greet you.

• Find a chair, cushion or bench that is comfortable for meditation. Line your shoes up along the wall. If you need to wear shoes, please speak to the leaders.

• Our meditation periods are 25-minutes of silent Zazen (seated meditation) with opening chants. We do Kinhin(walking meditation) in between meditation periods to refresh our legs. Bells indicate starting and stopping meditation periods. We use wooden clackers to start and stop walking meditation.

• If you need to use the restroom, do so at the kinhin walking meditation period. Simply bow out of the line and rejoin when returning. Maintain silence as much as possible since questions may be asked before or after meditation, or during Teacher “interviews” which are one-on-one conversations about your Zen practice.

• If you have to leave early please do so as quietly as possible at the walking meditation period.

• Zen can be practiced by those of any faith tradition, or no faith tradition. While we may use the terms “buddha” it simply means awakened mind and heart. We do chanting and walking meditation to embody our whole selves in attention.

• Sangha members help our Zen community flourish. If you wish to help with Zendo set up or Tea service set up, come early 15 minutes.