Painting Spring Zazenkai
with Jody Hojin Kimmel · Zen
One-day zazen intensive with sitting periods, liturgy, dokusan, formal talk, and oryoki lunch. Open to both new and experienced practitioners; designed as preparation for sesshin or deepening for ongoing students.
A one-day zazenkai is the standard format for sampling intensive Zen practice without the commitment of a multi-day sesshin. This half-day sit at Zen Center of New York City follows the traditional structure: multiple sitting periods (zazen) interspersed with walking meditation (kinhin) and chanting, a private meeting with a teacher (dokusan), a formal talk, and a formal meal practice (oryoki lunch). It's compressed but complete — you'll get the essential rhythm of sesshin in a day.
The center explicitly frames this as useful for two groups: newer students testing whether a longer sesshin fits their schedule and practice, and experienced students wanting a focused practice day. If you've never sat intensively before, a zazenkai is a low-risk way to find out what the format feels like. If you're a regular, it's a rhythm-reset in the spring season.
Full details from Zen Center of New York City/Fire Lotus Temple
A one-day intensive zazen practice with periods of zazen, liturgy, a face-to-face meeting with a teacher, a formal talk, and oryoki lunch. An important practice opportunity for experienced students to deepen their practice and for newer students to prepare for sesshin.
Thursday – Sunday · 4 days
Ango Intensive
with Geoffrey Shugen Arnold
Zen Center of New York City/Fire Lotus Temple
Saturday
Half-day Sit
with MRO Staff
Zen Center of New York City/Fire Lotus Temple