SUPPORT FOR YOUR PRACTICE
Especially after participating in a meditation intensive, introductory workshop, or sesshin, but at other times as well, we may have questions about and need support for our practice. Of course, attending regular group zazen and continuing our home sitting reinforce the more intense experiences. But there are a number of ways our Cleveland Zazen Group and our “mother ship,” the Rochester Zen Center, are available to provide that support.
Group Instruction
Group Instruction is individualized instruction and guidance in a group setting, and will be offered monthly on Sunday morning at 9:35 a.m. as part of our regular sitting. Group Instruction isn't a group discussion; attendees are not talking to each other. Discussion occurs between the individual questioner and the group leader. Because it can be so helpful to hear others' questions and responses, participants are encouraged to maintain confidentiality.
Private Instruction
Beginning in November 2023, our group leader will offer in-person daisan/private instruction on Sunday mornings at 8:15 by prior arrangement. In addition, Private Instruction can be arranged at other times by emailing Susan at srrakow@gmail.com or calling/texting 216-630-3483 to arrange days/times that are mutually convenient for both participants and the group leader, either in-person or via Zoom. This is a one-to-one teaching encounter in private. Parameters for what is discussed in Private Instruction are quite broad. It may cover points about posture, breathing, and other instruction in Zen practice, or it may get into counseling-like territory.
Advising
A one-to-one meeting (in-person, on Zoom, or by phone) with our group leader to address matters that may be too personal for group instruction and/or too complex and time-consuming for private instruction before formal sittings. You may bring up anything at all during advising, and confidentiality shall be respected unless required to do otherwise by law. Those who have attended the Introduction to Zen (or equivalent), Group Instruction, or Private Instruction may participate. Because this type of individualized instruction and guidance is informal and unstructured, it is scheduled outside of sittings. Contact Susan to schedule an appointment at srrakow@gmail.com or calling/texting 216-630-3583.