For Newcomers…. Welcome
We offer Introduction to Zen Practice at our Zendo
If you are new to Zen or would like a refresher on our Zen forms you can schedule an Introduction to Zen Practice. Sessions are held on Wednesdays at 6pm at our zendo. They are offered by appointment only so we can be sure someone is there to meet you. Click to email us and make arrangements.
We strongly encourage all beginners to attend our Introduction to Zen Practice. Anyone else is welcome to schedule a session as well. The teacher will cover finding a suitable meditation posture, sitting zazen, and our Zen forms. We’ll show you how we enter the zendo, bow, go to dokusan (teacher meetings), walk kinhin, and chant. Finally, we’ll explain what to expect on a typical Wednesday night. The goal is to help demystify Zen practice, and make you more comfortable with our Wednesday night program.
Anyone new who doesn’t want to attend the Introduction to Zen practice is invited to arrive by 6:45pm to meet with one of our senior students. They will help you set up a place in the zendo for the first sitting and offer a brief orientation to our forms. Our teachers may offer a more detailed discussion about Zen and our practice during dokusan in the second sitting. Be sure to let us know when to expect you by writing information@oneheartsangha.org.
The Zendo
When entering the Zendo, keep with you a sense of quiet and stillness. Arrive early to find your seat. Once settled in, keep your breath natural and body relaxed. Dress in comfortable clothes that do not distract others. Turn off or silence all cell phones. Personal belongings should be placed near the entrance. Handle cushions and Zendo items with care.
Zazen
We can practice sitting in stillness anywhere. As we learn to stop and pause, we allow our body and breath settle, and pay attention to what’s on our hearts, to our feelings and thoughts as they arise and pass.
As we settle into stillness, our minds and bodies relax, and this ripples out into our daily lives. Our perspective, awareness, and relationships with each other and the world changes. We can bring more steadiness and peace to our world.