Though the culture of our community has never been one of strong requirements, there are a few customs that might be helpful to know for those new to practice at Brooklyn Zen Center.
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ARRIVING AND LEAVING
When there are consecutive zazen periods, please feel free to come for either or both of the periods. If arriving for the first period of zazen, please try to be seated in the zendo five minutes before the beginning of the meditation period. If arriving for the second period, we ask that you try to arrive during the ten-minute walking meditation period and enter the zendo after walking meditation is finished.
CLOTHING
We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing for comfort while sitting. Covered shoulders and long pants are preferred over shorts and tank tops. In an effort to support a visually quiet meditation space, clothing with muted colors and no writing is also preferred. The entire center is a shoes-off area.
INTENTION TOWARD SILENCE
During the formal sitting times we try our best to remain silent and speak only when necessary throughout the center. However please feel free to ask a question if you are not sure of something. Silence is most strictly observed in the meditation hall during periods of zazen.
SERVICE AFTER MEDITATION
If you would prefer not to stay for the chanting service after zazen, you are free to leave after zazen ends and before service begins. If you do stay and find the activities of service confusing or uncomfortable, don't be concerned. Please be patient and over time the chanting service can become a very fluid expression of mindful activity as we come out of sitting meditation.
NOT KNOWING
Not knowing is our way. Though we often fall into the rigidity of believing we know, we aspire to remember the more flexible mind of the beginner again and again. So if you don't know, it's okay. None of us understood what to do when we first started practicing in a Zen center. The activities and the silence can sometimes feel intimidating and off-putting at first. We encourage you to see these feelings through so that your meditation practice can deepen and you have the opportunity to feel the support of a community of fellow practitioners.
Thank you for coming to sit with us and thank you for your practice.
Zendo Customs
