Vast Body, Many Parts: A Somatic Inquiry of Self-Energy

This half-day workshop approaches meditation practice through the body rather than as a technique for the mind. The pairing of silent sitting with restorative yoga and guided meditation signals an interest in how contemplative awareness and physical sensation inform each other—a departure from sitting-only sesshin.

The framework of "parts work" and "self-energy inquiry" draws from Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems, therapeutic approaches to processing fragmentation and internal conflict. The retreat uses this language alongside Zen practice, suggesting the facilitators are working at an intersection of traditional meditation and contemporary somatic psychology.

As a single day, this is accessible to people trying out a new angle on practice without a major time commitment. The inclusion of restorative yoga makes it likely suited to bodies that need gentler movement than traditional kinhin walking meditation.

Contact Green Gulch Farm Zen Center directly for details on the specific schedule, teacher credentials, and what to bring.