Introductory Half-Day Sitting

This is a half-day format—a practical entry point if you're curious about zazen but not ready to commit to a full day or multi-day sesshin. You'll learn the basics: how to sit, how to walk meditation (kinhin), and the rhythm of alternating periods of silent practice with guided discussion. It's a chance to ask questions without the structure of silence that characterizes longer sits.

San Francisco Zen Center operates out of Green Gulch Farm, a residential practice site in Marin County with gardens and a working farm. Even a day visit gives you a sense of the place. The half-day format means you can come and go within a few hours, making it accessible if you're local or visiting the Bay Area.