Zen Meditation with Daijo

This period of time is dedicated to zazen, a Japanese term meaning “sitting Zen.” The session includes two periods of seated meditation, each about twenty minutes long, with a contemplative walking period in between. After the final sitting period, we will conclude with a short chant followed by an informal question-and-answer conversation.

WHAT IS ZAZEN?
Zazen is simple—and not always easy. It is the practice of sitting still and breathing. As the body becomes still, the mind has a chance to settle; as the mind settles, the body can relax more deeply. This is an ongoing process that unfolds with patience. We support the practice by letting go of our tendency to judge our experience. When we release judgment, we become more present and less entangled in our thoughts, allowing space for compassion to arise. There is no goal to achieve. The practice is offered in the spirit in which it was taught: anyone and everyone can do this.

WHO IS DAIJO?
Daijo is a Zen Buddhist monk ordained in the Rinzai Zen tradition by Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, Roshi. He began practicing Zen in 1999 after encountering deep personal suffering. Unsure of where else to turn, he went to Bodhi Manda Zen Center in New Mexico, beginning a lifelong journey of training and inquiry.

Since his ordination in 2007, Daijo has trained at Bodhi Manda Zen Center, Mt. Baldy Zen Center, San Francisco Zen Center, and Rinzai-ji in Los Angeles. His teaching is grounded in decades of dedicated practice and a sincere wish to make Zen accessible to all.