Practices of the Community
While our Community is intentionally non-sectarian, at this time our practices primarily draw on those of Japanese Soto and Korean Taego Zen, since these are the traditions in which our founding members have the most experience.
Sitting Meditation
The focus of our communal practice is sitting meditation, which we do in Soto style
Excellent basic instructions for sitting meditation are available on the website of Zen Mountain Monastery.
Walking Meditation
Walking is a form of meditation-in-motion, in which the focus of the mind on the present moment is continued while the body is in action. The steps and the breath are coordinated
A very nice video explanation and demonstration is available on YouTube.
Liturgy & Chanting
While it is a relatively small part of our time together, the chanting of liturgy is an important part of our spiritual practice, and reminds us of our connections to both the ancient Buddhist tradition we inherit and the larger sangha of Buddhists around the world.
Our liturgy combines elements form that used by the Boundless Way Zen and Muddy Water Zen lineages.
Teaching and Discussion
Since we are a lay-led community, we do not have access to a teacher in residence. However, teachings are available in a variety of published and recorded sources. We use these in our evening and monthly Saturday meetings, reading or listening together and then discussing to learn from each other.
We also encourage our members to take advantage of opportunities to work with teachers in person by participating in retreats. See the Where Else page for a list of links to retreat facilities that our members have visited.
Etiquette and Suggestions for the Meditation Hall
Please avoid wearing clothing and accessories that could be distracting to others, such as t-shirts with slogans, revealing clothing, or noisy jewelry.
Please remove shoes and leave them at the bottom of the stairs. The wearing of socks in the meditation hall is preferred, in order to keep the shared meditation cushions clean.
Please perform a “tea bow” toward the altar when entering and exiting the room — bowing is an expression of gratitude, not an act of worship or sign of subservience.
If meditation is already in progress when you arrive, please enter the room quietly and find a spot quickly.
Before taking your seat for meditation, please bow to your cushion/chair, then turn and bow toward the room/community. If meditation has not yet begun but you are already seated, please return the bow of anyone taking a seat next to you or directly across the room from you.
Please avoid getting up and moving about while meditation is in progress — you are welcome to leave the room to use the bathroom, etc. during walking meditation or movement periods.
Because our space is small we use incense on our altar that is “smoke-free” or “low-smoke,” with the exception of special occasions.
Pants that are made of a soft material are best for meditation — fabrics with no give, such as denim, tend to bunch up behind the knees and become very uncomfortable.
Some meditation sitting equipment is available --- cushions and benches for floor sitting, stools and chairs for those who can't sit on the floor --- but you are certainly welcome to provide your own, to keep here or bring from home. Color and material are up to you. However, be aware that some retreat facilities may be specific about colors allowed in their meditation spaces --- black is always a safe choice of color. Suggested sources online include:
- www.dharmacrafts.com — Simple designs of mats and cushions, but with many options of fabrics and colors
- dharma.net/monstore/ — All black fabric, but with a variety of sizes and materials depending on your style of sitting and flexibility (the cushions in our meditation hall came from here -- highly recommended)
