Welcome to the section dedicated to First Steps in Zen.
Discover our proposals to start your journey on the Way of Zen:
- Hospitality. A first opportunity for those who wish to live their first experience immersed in a unique context, the SanboJi Monastery.
- zenkai. Short half-day retreats, in the urban locations of the Cerchio.
- Zen retreats. Period of intensive meditation through the practice of zazen, in the Sanboji Zen Monastery.
- Zen Course for Beginners, in the offices of Milan, Padova e Pesaro.
- Start Meditating discover the age-old practice and embark on a new journey on the Path of awareness.
- Recommended Readings to deepen your knowledge of Zen and meditation.
- FAQ answers to the most common questions about our programs.
Retreats for Beginners
Discover our opportunities for those who want to live their first experience immersed in a unique context.
You have the opportunity to live a more intense experience in Zen by participating in our retreats for beginners and hospitality at the SanboJi Monastery, and by taking part in the Zenkai hosted every month in our centers throughout Italy.
Discover our initiatives on the page Sesshin and Zenkai.
Meditation
The main practice on which Zen is based to help all beings is meditation, which in Zen is called zazen. It is a meditation to awaken to True Life, to help us overcome our conditioning and attachments that veil the reality of human existence.
The word zazen, “simply sitting,” means that we sit in meditation simply, without goals and expectations, without wanting or thinking anything, even without the idea of sitting without wanting or thinking anything.
The secret and the difficulty lie precisely in this word: simply. When we sit in zazenIn fact, we abandon knowledge and knowledge and enter naked into the practice of not knowing.
Recommended readings
To deepen your understanding of Zen and guided meditation practice, we recommend exploring the following books:
- Carlo Tetsugen Serra, Zen. Philosophy and practice for a happy life, Rizzoli, 2019
- Carlo Tetsugen Serra, Zen 2.0. The path to happiness, Cairo Editore, 2014
- Carlo Tetsugen Serra, Zen 3.0. The path of meditation. A mindfulzen book, Cairo Publisher, 2015
- Carlo Tetsugen Serra, Uncertainty is Zen, ED-Enrico Damiani Editore, 2021
- Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Zen mind, beginner's mind. Conversations on meditation and zen practice, Ubaldini Editore, 1978
- Christmas Humphreys, Zen, Ubaldini Editore, 1963
- Eugen Herrigel, Zen and archery, Adelphi Publisher, 1975
- Aldo Tollini, Zen: History, schools, texts, Einaudi, 2019
- Steven Heine, Dōgen. The life and work of the founder of the Sōtō Zen school, Ubiliber, 2023
- Paul Reps, Nyogen Senzaki (ed.), Zen in the Flesh: 101 Zen Stories, The Doorless Door, Finding the Center, 10 Kakuan Bulls, Ubiliber, 2023
FAQ
Can I start meditating if I have never practiced before?
- Absolutely yes! Everyone is welcome to start meditation practice with us. Check out our page Zen Meditation – Zazen to find detailed information on how to start meditating and participate in meditation sessions for beginners in our centers.
Can I attend a retreat if I have never meditated before?
- Certainly! We recommend that you participate in our Retreats open to all or in the Hospitality, at the SanboJi Monastery. They are designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced practitioners and offer an introduction to the practice of Zen through teachings, guided meditations and moments of reflection. For more information, see our page Zen retreats and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
What should I expect during a retreat or visit to the Zen Monastery?
- During a retreat or visit to our monastery, you can expect to be introduced to the practice of Zen meditation through guided meditation sessions, teachings from expert masters, moments of silence and contemplation, and the opportunity to connect with the Sangha, our community Zen.
Do I have to be Buddhist to practice Zen Buddhism?
- No, you do not need to be a Buddhist to practice Zen Buddhism.
Zen Buddhism is open to anyone interested in the practice of meditation and the spiritual path, regardless of their religious or philosophical affiliation.
Additional resources
For more information on how to begin your practice at our centers and deepen your understanding of Zen, we invite you to explore the following resources:
- Zen retreats
- Sesshin and Zenkai
- Zen Centers
Do you have any other doubts?
Do not hesitate to contact us at the email address Cerchio@monasterozen.it.
