Solo Landing

If you look around your area, you are likely to find two different kinds of Zen gatherings: Meditation groups, and Zen Centers. Meditation groups, or sitting groups, are likely to be quite informal – often just a group of people that like to practice meditation and want to do it with others. They may not have a teacher present at the group, or one member may be shouldering the job as the most knowledgeable person.

They might, in all likelihood, be meeting in one of the member’s living rooms. Zen Centers, on the other hand, are more established institutions where you are likely to encounter ordained members and you are able to take vows yourself. They are more likely to have a teacher who is teaching Zen as their livelihood. And the center is funded through community support.

You are probably going to find that there are two different kinds of Zen traditions that have made it to these US shores: Rinzai and Soto. Rinzai tends to take a more strict approach to the methodology of practice. While, in general, us Soto people tend to be a more libertine crowd. Soto schools are in more abundance, so you are more likely to find those kinds of centers than the Rinzai schools.

Zen Centers in the Soto tradition usually have periods for Zazen, meditation, in the early morning and the late afternoon, most days of the week. And these sittings are usually open to the public. Then, one day of the week, they frequently have a more extensive agenda when sitting is followed by a service (some chanting and bows), and then a Dharma talk, followed by a period of socializing where you can meet and talk with the other members.

These Zen Centers will probably have a day of the week when they hold an orientation for newcomers. (And it is often on the day when the Dharma talk is given.) During the orientation they should give you some basic guidelines and they will show you how to practice meditation.

Even if you already know how to practice meditation, it is worthwhile to take the orientation because you will at least know what the others there are doing. Otherwise, just follow along with what others are doing in the Zendo, the meditation hall, and you will be just fine. Remember, everyone will be more than happy to help you, as you would be to a newcomer when it is your turn help. By the way, I would be surprised if you met any Asians at any of the Centers in the US. So don’t worry about the language barrier. But leave your iPod in your backpack. :-)