Shikantaza

Shikantaza, sometimes called “just sitting,” is the subtle and radically nondual practice at the heart of Soto Zen practice.

Because shikantaza is so easily misconstrued, at GBZC, we teach shikantaza only after someone has gained substantial familiarity with breath-counting. And because it’s so easy to deceive ourselves with a story about “just sitting,” it is often helpful engage in discussions with senior students or meet with a Zen teacher.

Two books to start with are Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama and Realizing Genjokoan by Shohaku Okumura.

In our liturgy book, shikantaza is described in recitation pieces by Reb Anderson (“Guidance in the Absolute Practice of Shikantaza”) and Shohaku Okumura (“Those Who Greatly Realize Delusion Are Buddhas”).

Retreats

Day-long or multi-day retreats are an unparalleled way to deepen your understanding of Zen, and connect more fully with yourself and the community. Everyone is encouraged to come to retreats.

Day-long retreats are a great place to start, or if you are one to dive right into the deep end, you can sign up for a multi-day retreat, known as a sesshin.

Koans

Koans are part of the teaching technology of the Zen school—and koan introspection is, for some Zen students, an effective way to truly see the oneness of form and emptiness, the absolute and the relative. GBZC sometimes offers Koan Salons, in which participants reflect on a koan together. 

Traditionally, individuals working with koans do it with a teacher trained in doing that work. Due to past abuses of power, we no longer offer this during our regular sitting periods. If you are interested in such work see Individual Meetings and More about Koans.