Introductory overview of the training path for beginning Chosei Zen students
Introduction to Zazen
This class introduces new Chosei Zen students to our style of Rinzai Zen meditation, hara breathing, and training opportunities. All students should join a monthly Sunday Intro to Zazen class.
Students need to bring their own motivation and cultivate a practice of daily zazen (building up to 45 minutes). Sitting twice daily (AM & PM) is recommended. Continuing students should develop their hara, practice okyo, and train in the Ways. Online resources are available.
To boost training and break habits, students are encouraged to join periodic in-person or online intensives. Check the calendar for 1-day zazenkai, 4- and 7-day sesshin and keishin. Prerequisites are the ability to sit still for 45 minutes and perform basic hara breathing.
Sanzen training
Sanzen is the interview between a student and teacher, often centering on the student's koan. Some teachers offer online sanzen. Students can choose a teacher for sanzen training after completing two keishin or one sesshin (see FAQ). At this point, the student becomes a formal Zen student.
Additional training
Many students find it helpful to attend trainings with our sister organization, Institute for Zen Leadership. Live-in training on a longer-term basis is possible at Daikozen-ji in Madison (see FAQ). We also have a 3-year priest training curriculum. Please contact info@choseizen.org for more information.
Note to long-distance students
We encourage all students to train in-person at the dojos in Madison, Spring Green, and Rhode Island when they can. Working directly with a Zen teacher is preferred in terms of finding the best particular training path for a student, considering different life circumstances. We have many online resources, talks, classes, etc. for those of you who are not near a dojo. We also are willing to train and help support students who want to start their own in-person sitting groups.
