Zen practice has always valued mentorship and guidance. At Louisville Zen Center, support is offered through group instruction, one-on-one meetings, and Zen talks. Below is a brief overview of what we offer. For dates and details, please visit our home page and calendar.
This workshop is ideal for newcomers, those seeking a refresher, or anyone interested in practicing in the Rochester Zen Center lineage. It covers posture, breathing, equipment, walking meditation, and more.
In-person workshops begin with instruction at 5:30 p.m. We take a brief break around 6:20, followed by practice from 6:30 to 7:30. After a simple, 10-minute cleanup, we wrap up with tea and final questions until about 8:00 p.m. Suggested donation: $20 (cash, check, or PayPal). To register, email us.
For online workshops, we recommend those offered through the Rochester Zen Center, led by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry. Info and registration are available here.
Dokusan
Dokusan is a one-to-one teaching encounter in private given at this center by a fully authorized Zen teacher. It is geared to matters of practice in the narrow sense of the word (e.g., zazen), but personal issues closely related to one’s sitting practice are also okay to bring up with the teacher.
Jissai-sensei offers dokusan to both Louisville Zen Center and Rochester Zen Center. At HPWZ, Tuesday night in-person dokusan is available to anyone who has attended an introductory workshop, whether or not you're a Center member. Online dokusan and dokusan scheduled outside of formal sittings are given only to Center members.
Teisho is a formal Dharma talk given by a fully authorized teacher. More than just a lecture or sermon, teisho is considered to be a direct expression of the teacher’s realization, delivered from the depth of their own practice and understanding.
Encouragement talks are short (10 minutes or less), informal Zen talks delivered during a round of zazen to address common challenges in zazen—like sleepiness, restlessness, or doubt. They offer practical support and reminders that struggle is part of the path.
Louisville Zen Center