In the middle of Tokyo's relentless pace, this 90-minute zazen session at a functioning Rinzai Zen temple offers profound stillness. The resident monk — who trained for five years at Eiheiji, Japan's head Soto Zen temple — introduces the history and purpose of zazen in plain English before guiding you into the correct seated posture on a zafu cushion. You will meditate through two 20-minute periods separated by kinhin (walking meditation). The monk also offers the traditional kyosaku (encouragement stick) on the shoulder for those who want to deepen focus — entirely optional and surprisingly liberating. The session closes with tea and Q&A in the temple garden.
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Highlights
- Sit zazen in a 300-year-old functioning Rinzai Zen temple in Tokyo
- English-speaking resident monk guides all instruction
- Two 20-minute sitting periods with kinhin walking meditation in between
- Optional kyosaku (encouragement stick) for deeper concentration
- Tea and open Q&A with the monk in the temple garden afterwards
What's Included
- ✓Zafu and zabuton cushion set for the meditation session
- ✓English-language instruction and dharma talk
- ✓Walking meditation (kinhin) guidance between sitting periods
- ✓Japanese green tea in the garden after the session
- ✓Suggested reading list for continuing Zen practice
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