Making Visible the Invisible Zazenkai

A zazenkai is a concentrated day of sitting—typically four to six hours of zazen (Zen meditation) punctuated by walking, chanting, and a meal taken in formal oryoki style. This one-day format lets you sample the rhythm of sesshin without the multi-day commitment, and it's explicitly welcoming to newer students who want to see what intensive practice feels like before signing up for a longer retreat.

The day includes dokusan (a private meeting with a teacher), which is central to Zen practice—a chance to bring questions or simply sit with the teacher in direct encounter. The formal talk grounds the day's practice in teaching. Oryoki, the formal eating practice, is part of the experience too; it's a way of bringing full attention and intention to even a simple meal.

For experienced students, a zazenkai offers a contained opportunity to deepen. For those newer to Zen, it's a realistic preview of what a longer sesshin—typically three to seven days of similar schedule—actually involves. If you're curious about Zen practice or wanting to maintain your sitting between longer retreats, a day-sit is a practical, accessible entry point.