Zen Meditation and Matcha Tea Ceremony Experience
Engage in a transformative journey through the core principles of Zen and meditation in this unique experience. Begin with an enlightening lecture on zazen, where you will learn the history and techniques to align body, breath, and mind. Participate in guided demonstrations that cover posture and breathing, followed by a short zazen session to practice with fellow meditators. Delve into a longer meditation period, where you can choose to receive gentle taps to enhance focus. Afterward, discuss insights with the head priest about the Three Poisons and practical meditation techniques. Conclude with a serene matcha tea ceremony, enjoying seasonal sweets while deepening your appreciation for this calming tradition.
What's included
Snacks
Matcha tea and seasonal Japanese sweets
Not Included
Description
Begin with a lecture on the basics of Zen and meditation, the history of zazen, and how to align your body, breath, and mind. Learn how to position your legs, hands, gaze, and breath, with demonstrations to guide you.
Next, practice a short zazen session to get comfortable, sharing your thoughts with fellow participants. Feel free to ask questions, with a bilingual guide translating any technical terms into English.
Once prepared, move on to the main zazen session. Sit for a longer period, cultivating awareness without getting caught up in thoughts or emotions. Experience the optional keisaku, a gentle tap on the shoulders to help you refocus, if you choose.
After zazen, engage in a discussion, sharing your experiences and learning practical tips from the head priest.
Conclude with a matcha tea ceremony, where the head priest prepares matcha and seasonal sweets for you. Savor the aroma and taste, enhanced by your heightened senses from zazen. Learn about the tea ceremony’s origins and etiquette, experiencing how it serves as a practice for calming the mind.
