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Getting Started—Meditation Instruction

We offer basic instruction on sitting and walking meditation, including a Sunday morning Orientation for Beginners, to help you begin or rejuvenate a meditation practice. We recommend that you attend one of these sessions before attending morning meditation at Clouds in Water. There is no fee and no registration. Please refer to the instruction schedule for more information.

Daily meditation schedule

Sunday Morning Meditation ^**

Sunday activities are free and open to everyone. You are welcome to participate, whether or not you have done meditation practice previously.

Daily Meditation Schedule

Weekday Morning Practice ^**

^** If you arrive for early morning zazen, or any time you find the lobby doors locked, you can enter our space through the back door, located off Broadway Street, through the iron gate and up the half-flight of stairs. This door enters directly into the zendo. If you arrive within 5 minutes of the first sitting, please take a seat near the door; after walking meditation you may move to the center of the zendo. For evening meditation and the Sunday Community Service, use the front entrance.

Weekday Noontime Meditation

New! Evening Meditation

* On some Thursdays we will be experimenting with an optional discussion or practice meeting during the second sitting.

Practice for Children and Youth

Our mission is to joyfully awaken the Heart of Great Wisdom and Compassion in the next generation. We offer a comprehensive program for children and youth on Sunday mornings during the fall, winter and spring quarters. Classes include story, discussion, arts/crafts, songs, games, yoga, and meditation/mindfulness practice. Seven age groups, nursery through high school, meet with volunteer teachers, every other week, for six sessions per quarter. The sessions run concurrently with Sunday Morning Meditation. At 10:20 am, the children join the adults in the zendo for songs, sharing and ceremony. See the Practice for Children and Youth Page for more information.

Full Moon Precept Reflection & Ceremony

With Byakuren Judith Ragir and Senior Students. Once a month, on the Sunday nearest the full moon, we hold a precept reflection and recitation. This short service includes a brief reflection on the precepts, followed by a chanting service in which we recite the precepts. The reflection will focus on how we have lived in relationship with the precepts in the past month and a recommitment to our practice in the next month. Everyone is welcome.
Sundays, 10:40–11:10 am.

March 28
April 25
May 30
June 27
July 25
August 22

Meditation Instructions

	The aim of meditation is to be intimate with whatever experience arises.
	Breathe gently through your nose. Follow the breath as it moves in and out from a point two finger widths beneath your navel.
	Allow the breath to sponsor awareness of the body, feelings, and the mind.
	When your attention wanders, gently and directly return to the vivid present moment with earnestness.
	For sitting meditation, sit comfortably with your back naturally straight, either on a cushion or in a chair.
	For walking meditation, walk with awareness of your breath as you step. As you inhale, raise the heel of your foot. When you reach the height of inhalation, slowly swing the foot forward, taking half a step. As you touch the ball of your foot to the floor, gently exhale. Then gently lower the rest of the foot.
	A bell will signal the beginning (3 rings) and end (2 rings) of meditation. The bell will also ring every 15 minutes during meditation. This is your opportunity to change your sitting position or to change from sitting to walking (or walking to sitting).

Webmaster's note: There are also good instructions for zazen here at the Zen Mountain Monastery site.