The Zen Form We Practice

The form held on Friday sitting evenings

Zen form is held lightly on Friday sitting evenings, though it becomes a little more detailed in traditional sesshin (Zen retreats). 

The first rule of Zen form is that it exists only to help shape, support and serve the mind and spirit of practice.  There are no mistakes to be afraid of making.  Just stay alert and go along with what more experienced others are doing, and the mindfulness of Zen form becomes second nature. 

You will quite quickly sense how the form helps maintain an uncluttered, nonjudging, focussed awareness, and a graceful steadiness towards your practice and your fellow meditators. 

On arrival

When you arrive, enter quietly after removing shoes if sitting has started, and move to an unoccupied cushion, bench or chair. We keep silence from the time the Jiki (time-keeper) signals the first 25 minute round of sitting at 5.30pm.

Beginning sitting

Make a gassho (a small bow of respect with your hands together) towards the altar, walk to an empty cushion, stand with your back to it and gassho to your fellow sitters, then turn to your cushion /bench /chair and gassho to that before seating and settling yourself.

The Jiki will sound a clapper signal to ask you to grow still. Three slow bells follow, opening a 25-minute ‘round’ of sitting. After this point, the aim is to stay seated and still, and avoid major adjustments of posture as far as you can.

Walking meditation

Two short bells signal the end of a sitting round. Unless you wish to keep sitting through another 30 minutes, rise to your feet for kinhin (walking meditation). When everyone is on their feet, the Jiki claps the clappers. Everyone makes a gassho, then turns to their left to begin slow walking meditation for about five minutes, keeping an equal distance from the person in front.

People may leave the line as they pass the door to go to the toilet etc.  Just maintain a small gap for them to re-enter.

Resuming sitting

After the next clapper signal, when you reach your place you stop, turn to face in to the room and wait until everyone is back at their seat.   The Jiki makes an obvious silent bow that everyone joins in with, before bowing to their seat and settling again for the next 25 minute round of sitting.

There are usually four rounds of sitting each evening followed by a Dharma talk or discussion in the final stage of the evening.