Santa Clara University

Mindfulness and Zen Meditation

What To Expect When You Come To The Zen Meditation Session

For those of you who are new to our Zen Meditation group here are some simple guidelines for what to expect when you arrive at the Multi-faith Sanctuary.

In the early part of the school year there will be some elementary instructions or guide points given at various points during the sitting session by the Dharma Teacher to help us through the sitting session. Later in the school year, you can expect minimal directions during sitting.

At the beginning of each quarter we will attempt to provide an afternoon workshop to introduce beginners to the practice of Zen Meditation. These will be separate from the regular sitting sessions and announced through email or on the SCU calendar when they occur.

I. The Sitting Sessions:

1.      Enter and bow:
When you first arrive at the Multi-faith Sanctuary you should enter the room quietly, remove your shoes putting them with the others just inside the door, bow toward the center of the room, and quietly take a seat.

2.      Seating in the Multi-faith Sanctuary:
When you enter the Multi-faith Sanctuary you will find two kinds of seating: zafu cushions on the floor in the center of the room and chairs arranged in a circle. You may sit on either. Depending on your experience in sitting and your physical agility the zafu cushions may be more or less comfortable for you. Feel free to start the sitting session on a cushion and later move to a chair if you become cramped or otherwise uncomfortable. Otherwise, just be seated in one of the chairs. [This is a prudent choice for beginners.] Just sit and wait quietly until the bell rings to begin the session.

3.      Sitting Sessions: A Dharma Teacher and a doan will be seated at the head of the sitting room.

Sitting sessions consist of three parts: sitting, mindful walking, and sitting.

o        First sitting Session: Begins at 5:15 p.m. promptly. The doan will begin the session by ringing a bell three times. Incense will be lighted. That marks the beginning of the first 25 minute sitting session. Early in the quarter some elementary instruction will take up part of this time.

o        Mindful Walking: At the end of 25 minutes a bell rings once and we all stand and form a circle around the room facing inward. A clapper sounds and we turn to the left and begin a VERY SLOW and mindful walk around the room. Follow the pace of those more experienced. At the sound of the clapper continue in the circle walking at a normal pace until you reach where you started out. Turn to the center of the room and wait for the sound of the clapper. Be seated.

o        Second Sitting Session: A bell will ring three times to start the second 25 minute sitting session. Here again, in the early part of the quarter, part of this 25 minute session will be taken up with some instructions by the Dharma Teacher. At the end of 25 minutes a bell will ring once to end the sitting session. We all stand and bow to one another to show respect and honor our sitting practice. The Zen sitting session ends at 6:10 p.m. allowing 5 minutes to clean up.

4.     Arriving at and leaving the sitting session:

The expectation is - arrive when you can and leave when you must. Our sitting sessions are informal and no one will be disturbed by your arriving late or leaving early. Just do so quietly.

5. Clothing:

Most people come directly from work and work clothes are fine. If you plan to sit on the floor, however, loose fitting clothes are more appropriate. Since you will be removing your shoes and the room can be cold in the winter, consider this in the morning when selecting socks to wear on winter sitting days.

II. Conferences with the Dharma Teacher:

1.     Individual conferences with the Dharma Teacher:

On occasion the Dharma Teacher will offer conferences to individuals during the hour-long sitting session. The purpose of the conference is to discuss with the Dharma Teacher your sitting practice or any thing else that you may wish to discuss.

It works this way. When you arrive you will find an index card either in front of your zafu cushion or on your chair. If you wish to have a conference with the Dharma Teacher, place the index card behind your cushion or on the floor in front of your chair. [If you do not wish to have a conference, place the card under the cushion or under your chair.] After the session has begun the Teacher will leave to a separate conference room. The doan will monitor the process and explain how to get to the conference room. He/she will come to your place, tap you on the shoulder and invite you to leave the room to have a conference with the Dharma Teacher. You will move to the conference room inside the Mission Church. After your conference you return to your place and complete the sitting session.

Practically speaking, there is only time for one or at most two conferences per sitting session. The doan will monitor who has been and who has not been to a conference previously.

2.     Group Conference following the sitting experience:

At the beginning of each academic quarter, the Dharma Teacher will remain behind in the Multi-faith Sancturay for about 15 minutes after the clean up. This is an opportunity to discuss with the group your experience in sitting. Anyone is welcome to remain behind for these group conferences. These conferences are purely voluntary.