ZAZEN:

The regular practice of zazen is the heart of Zen. It is the simple act of sitting upright, concentrating your posture and your breath, and paying attention to what is actually occurring in your body and mind without becoming entangled in your thoughts, just letting them come and go. Normally we sit in zazen for periods of thirty to forty minutes. A zazen period may also include walking practice (kinhin) and a brief ceremony that involves some chanting and gestures of respect (gassho and sampai). Zazen periods are usually silent, but the teacher may give verbal teaching (kusen) from time to time. The practice is formal in the sense that we follow respectful ways of conducting ourselves while in the dojo. The teacher and many students dress in the traditional robes(kimono/kilomo and kesa/rakusu) but any modest, comfortable, dark colored clothing is fine. Someone attending zazen practice for the first time should meet with a teacher or senior student about thirty minutes prior to the beginning of zazen to be shown the posture of zazen and appropriate conduct while in the dojo. (For more about zazen, see About Zen)

 SESSHIN:

A sesshin is a Zen retreat, a period of intense practice, lasting from a half day to several days. During sesshin we practice zazen, kinhin, and ceremony as in our daily practice but also have periods of work practice (samu) and eat meals together. During a sesshin a teacher may offer a Dharma talk (teisho), a question & answer session (mondo), or private interviews (dokusan). Rohatsu sesshin is a longer sesshin with more zazen that ordinary sesshins; it is held during the first week of December and commemorates the Buddha's awakening.

 WORKSHOP:

In an effort to introduce people to the teachings of the Buddha, the practice of Zen in this tradition, and himself as a Zen teacher, Tony periodically gives a day-long workshop, “An Introduction to Zen Buddhism”. The workshop is designed for those who are interested in practicing Zen and those who are actually practicing as well as those who have an interest in Zen but may not necessarily want to practice in this tradition. As such, the workshop is considered appropriate not only for practitioners but also for those who may be following another path but want to broaden their understand of other religious approaches and practices. Buddhism is a religious practice that stresses the importance of respect and tolerance for all religions, so practitioners of other faiths are welcome.

Workshops are held annually, in the fall, or as per demand. For the next scheduled workshop, see “Workshops”, above.