Our Training
“The aim of the profound teachings is to see the man who can ride all circumstances”
– Rinzai Gigen (China, -886)
Learning to Help Out
Why We Practise
Zen practice is primarily geared towards finding our true function in life.
As we broaden our awareness beyond its usual limitations, we open ourselves to the life we share with everyone and everything.
Slowly we start to see better what we can do to help out in this world full of problems.
A Physical Practice
What we Practise
Based on traditional Zen teachings but adapted to suit the needs of our time, the programme of Zen River consists of six elements of training.
With meditation as its basis, these training elements can be used to deeply refine our body, mind and speech. Over time, pracitioners may learn to express their inner transformations with their whole being.
Zazen
Using Tenkei’s Four Modes of Meditation, we practise to open our minds and become more in tune with the situations we find ourselves in.
Ritual
Time-tested choreography helps to train bodily awareness and express a deep sense of interconnectedness.
Study
Learn how the scriptures across the ages can help us wake up to our innate wisdom.
Social Skills
Trying to respond to life’s situations with wisdom and compassion.
Health
Nutritious food, Qi Gong, walking, physical work and bowing:
A healthy body helps cultivate a healthy mind.
The Arts
Discovering life’s intrinsic sense of beauty, we cannot help but want to express it in our actions.
Soto – Rinzai Style
The training at Zen River draws on both the Sōtō and Rinzai traditions. Alongside Soto-style shikantaza (‘just sitting’), Rinzai-style koan training is used extensively.
Deep questioning and sudden awakening are highly valued, as is a precise physical choreography that can help embody and express inner changes.
The guiding principle is to meet the needs of each individual student.
Continuous Practice
Daily Programme & Monthly Retreats
These six elements of training are practised at Zen River every day throughout the year, in a varied schedule regularly adapted to what group dynamics require.
We just love doing this, please feel welcome to join us.
