About

Often people say that zazen seated meditation is about emptying the mind. In reality, it is not about putting one's mind into awareness, but rather about freeing oneself from the constraints of that mind. What image do you have of zazen? For many people, the phrase "becoming nothing" probably comes to mind. This phrase may influence us to make an effort to empty our minds or to keep our minds still. The essence of zazen is to sit without such an aim or plan. By experiencing zazen in stages, anyone can get a sense of what it is like. In this class, we will show you how to become aware of your surroundings (outside), to become aware of your body (inside), and to diminish the boundary between the outside and the inside. We will guide you mindfully in front of a beautiful garden in Ryosokuin Temple in Kyoto.