What is Zen ?

Zen is a transformative and healing practice. It involves daily willingness to keep moving toward and stay with awareness. We practice through seated meditation (zazen) and walking meditation, in an environment of silence and wholehearted effort or discipline. We practice under the guidance of a teacher and with a supportive community (sangha).

Zen is learning to trust and to be who we are in each moment, relying on our breath, bodies, minds and hearts to teach us. In short, to be truly present to our lives. Meditation, silence and stillness opens us to see more clearly.

Zen is also a way of living and acting with conscious attention or mindfulness to what we do, say and think. Zen involves a certain discipline we give to ourselves. Meditation helps us clear away obstacles in thinking so that we can lead more full human lives.

Zen practice is simple yet takes time to realize the subtle changes it brings to our lives. We start to see our thoughts with more clarity and this bring a sense of resilience and stability. Zen meditation is compatible with any religious faith, and each of us experiences and expresses our truth uniquely.

Zen meditation can bring many benefits: greater attention and awareness, calming and healing our emotional lives, a growing sense of goodwill and kindness, and a desire to be of help in this world.

Zen practice can also help us resolve deep questions: Who am I? What is my life? Why am I here and what should I do?