Still Seeing

Private Zazen — Sitting quietly, and at times engaging in dialogue, to explore one’s own reality

In the midst of busy daily life, it is more difficult than we think to truly stop.

Yet even a small amount of time—simply pausing the body and quietly observing—can change the way we see ourselves and the world.

I currently offer private online zazen.

What we do is very simple.

We value the time of just sitting, and at times, through dialogue, we create an opportunity to re-examine one’s own lived reality.

Zazen can be practiced wherever you are.

What matters is stopping and seeing.

Those who participate come from various countries and age groups.

Some have prior experience with zazen, while others are complete beginners.

There are also individuals who work professionally in certain forms of meditation.

Some join because, while living abroad, they wish to have a quiet time to look at themselves.

There is no fixed format.

In some sessions, we exchange very few words and simply sit in silence.

In others, sitting becomes a starting point for dialogue about what you are feeling or questioning.

Zazen is not merely maintaining posture, nor is it a game of stopping thought.

It is a practice of pausing and seeing, of rediscovering oneself through direct observation.

The content of each session is adjusted flexibly, so that the practice meets what is truly needed at that time.

When people hear “zazen,” they often imagine temples or special places.

However, the essence of zazen lies not in going somewhere extraordinary, but in stopping and seeing exactly where you are.

In fact, sitting in the very space where you live your daily life naturally softens unconscious tension and guardedness.

The time of zazen begins to connect seamlessly with ordinary life.

Even online, we can confirm posture and breathing together, and share what is necessary for sitting quietly.

You may also bring the insights or questions that arise into your own favorite place afterward, allowing them to nourish your personal practice.

This form of private zazen may be especially meaningful for those who:

wish to create quiet time to look at themselves

are interested in zazen but unsure how to begin

find it difficult to continue sitting alone

would like to speak calmly about zazen or Zen thought alongside actual practice

Zazen is not about acquiring special abilities.

It is simply time to pause and to see—again and again.

If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out.

Whether you are new to zazen or already experienced, the sessions can be adapted to your situation.

Each session is approximately one hour.

They are conducted online, in either Japanese or English.

As my English is not perfect, more abstract or philosophical discussions may sometimes be supplemented through written communication.

Even if you would simply like to talk first, that is completely welcome.

No special preparation is required.

Just take a little time, and begin by stopping and seeing.

Let us sit together.

Tosei Shinabe