Painting Spring Zazenkai

A one-day zazenkai is the standard format for sampling intensive Zen practice without the commitment of a multi-day sesshin. This half-day sit at Zen Center of New York City follows the traditional structure: multiple sitting periods (zazen) interspersed with walking meditation (kinhin) and chanting, a private meeting with a teacher (dokusan), a formal talk, and a formal meal practice (oryoki lunch). It's compressed but complete — you'll get the essential rhythm of sesshin in a day.

The center explicitly frames this as useful for two groups: newer students testing whether a longer sesshin fits their schedule and practice, and experienced students wanting a focused practice day. If you've never sat intensively before, a zazenkai is a low-risk way to find out what the format feels like. If you're a regular, it's a rhythm-reset in the spring season.