Tokyo: Private Zen Meditation & Tea Ceremony with a Monk

Overview

Begin with a lecture on the basics of Zen and meditation, the history of zazen, and how to align your body, breath, and mind. Learn how to position your legs, hands, gaze, and breath, with demonstrations to guide you. Next, practice a short zazen session to get comfortable, sharing your thoughts with fellow participants. Feel free to ask questions, with a bilingual guide translating any technical terms into English. Once prepared, move on to the main zazen session. Sit for a longer period, cultivating awareness without getting caught up in thoughts or emotions. Experience the optional keisaku, a gentle tap on the shoulders to help you refocus, if you choose. After zazen, engage in a discussion, sharing your experiences and learning practical tips from the head priest. Conclude with a matcha tea ceremony, where the head priest prepares matcha and seasonal sweets for you. Savor the aroma and taste, enhanced by your heightened senses from zazen. Learn about the tea ceremony’s origins and etiquette, experiencing how it serves as a practice for calming the mind.