Seiza- "Quiet Sitting"

" The aim of seiza is to do seiza. Don't think of result. " - Torajiro Okada

Please join us to learn the fundamentals of Seiza (Quiet Sitting, 静坐) meditation based on Torajiro Okada method. Reverend Miki Nakura, of Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto, and the Jodo-Shinshu Shin-Buddhist New York Sangha, will explain the history of this Japanese form of meditation and lead a seiza meditation in English.

Seiza is a simple means of self-development founded on proper sitting posture and correct breathing method focusing full strength on tanden, the lower belly. Seiza meditation is done in a kneeling position or seated on a chair with the body inclined slightly forward. When some of the first Westerners, such as Ruth Fuller Sasaki, went to Japan in the twentieth century to seek instruction in Zen, D. T. Suzuki recommended they take up seiza meditation before and during their zazen training. In this spirit, Reverend Miki Nakura offers instruction and leads seiza meditation sessions at New York Zendo every month. Seiza is a universal method beyond all religions for anyone to realize self-harmonization and inner peace.