What is Zen ?

The word Zen means “meditation” but it is more than that. It is a practice of our life with full awareness.

The fundamental practices of Zen are silent seated meditation (zazen) and walking meditation (kinhin) and meeting with a teacher. In the meditation hall, we also practice bowing and chanting together side-by-side, as well as studying ourselves deeply in these forms. These practices help us to discover a clear mind and connected heart.

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To study the Way is to study the self.

To study the self is to forget the self.

To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.

To be enlightened by all things is to remove the barriers between oneself and others.

No trace of enlightenment remains, and this traceless enlightenment continues forever.

~~Eihei Dogen, Soto Zen founder