Omori Sogen Roshi, a great 20th century Zen master who brought our lineage of Rinzai Zen to the West, was also a master of sword and calligraphy. He once said of a set of sword forms (i.e., hojo) that their purpose was to “take away every habit since the day you were born.” On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin observed that the key to a good life is good habits. So what are habits: Good? Bad? To be kept or broken? 

We invite you into an embodied and collective exploration of those questions in a 90-day practice period that both strengthens the habit of Zen practice and brings freedom to habitual conditioning. We’ll reinforce your own commitment to practice with biweekly talks from our Zen teachers on the power of habits, habit energy, and how use of the body through hara development, mastery of breath, posture and senses can make habits freeing, rather than deadening. We’ll also host a monthly tag-up where you can meet in small groups to share progress, barriers and inspiration with others in practice. You’ll come away from these three months enriched not only by the fruits of your own practice, but with mind-body insight into how to find freedom in habit and bring freedom to others.

When? January 29-April 29, 2022

What’s Involved?

• Make a commitment to practice that includes daily Zazen (sitting meditation), at least 30 minutes/day, ideally joining us in the Chosei Zen Virtual Dojo. Additionally, commit to any other habit you want to cultivate that would breathe freshness into this time.

• Attend biweekly talks from one of our Zen teachers to further inspire or refine your practice; talks will be recorded and available to participants who can’t make the original time.

• Be further supported in your practice with optional practice partners and monthly tag-ups in the Chozei Zen Virtual Dojo.

For more information, click here.