NEWCOMERS

We welcome newcomers and visitors, with or without prior experience in Zen. While Zen practice has a formal aspect to it, there is a deep warmth expressed in our forms and silence.

If you are new to Zen, please come early about 15 minutes for instruction in meditation and Zen forms.

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What to Expect in Zen meditation practice periods…

• Arrive early (10-15 minutes) to find a chair or cushion that is comfortable for you. 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. We ring a bell to start meditation promptly.

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

• Our meditation periods are 25-minutes of silent Zazen (seated meditation) with opening chants. We do Kinhin for 5 minutes (walking meditation) in between meditation periods.

• Our teachers will offer talks, and we have Dharma sharing on various topics.

• We offer one-on-one teacher instruction called “dokusan” regularly. Please take the opportunity to ask questions. You may want to try it for a few months to decide if this practice is for you.

• We often end with tea and conversation.