Private Interviews with the Teachers
Meeting privately with a Zen teacher is an essential part of Zen training. The best Zen teaching and support is individual and one-on-one. As Zen Master Dogen pointed out 800 years ago, "there are as many minds as there are persons." It's a normal to feel a bit nervous and uncertain at first as it's a vulnerable process. And there are many myths about what happens in the Zen interview room, not all of which are that helpful. Please read on to learn more about Zen interviews at Red Cedar Zen Community.
How to Request a MeetingRequesting DokusanMeeting with our teachers during in-person meditation: Both Nomon Tim and Kanho Chris offer dokusan during meditation meetings at the temple. Several of our Lay Entrusted Teachers and Practice Leaders offer practice discussion during meditation as well. The Ino (meditation hall coordinator) will announce who's available and invite you to put out a colored index card at your sitting mat to indicate your request. For meditation over Zoom you can also send a private chat to the teacher to ask if they are available. Opportunities for meetings with the teachers are also offered at our retreats. Learn more about our teachers and practice leaders here. Dokusan with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett: If addition to offering dokusan during meditation, Nomon Tim is available by self-sign up appointment for a variety of times during the week both online and in person. If none of our regular practice times or Nomon's additional booking times are possible for your schedule please email Nomon directly at tim@redcedarzen.org. Dokusan with Head of Practice Kanhō Chris Burkhart: If addition to offering dokusan during meditation, Kanhō Chris also meets with people by appointment in person and over Zoom. Contact her directly at chrisburkhart@hotmail.com to arrange a meeting. Requesting Practice DiscussionRequest Practice Discussion with our lay teachers and priests by contacting them directly. They also offer Practice Discussion periodically at our in person sittings - as announced by the Ino. Requesting MentorshipIf you're interested in being paired with a mentor for a series of one one meetings to study a Zen related text and discuss your practice, use the Mentorship Request form to request a mentor assignment. | You may sign up ahead for dokusan appointments with Nomon Tim. Nomon Tim's Bookings Page: For dokusan with Kanhō Chris contact her at t chrisburkhart@hotmail.com to arrange a meeting. Three Types of MeetingsDokusanA private one-on-one meeting with a fully authorized ordained Zen teacher is called "dokusan" (独参) meaning "going alone:" meeting one-on-one with the teacher of your choice. In person dokusan includes a ritualized way of entering the interview room which will be explained by the jisha (teacher's attendant) prior to the meeting. Practice DiscussionWhen the private meeting is with a lay teacher it's called "Practice Discussion." The ritual for in person Practice Discussion is a bit simpler. MentorshipWe also have a Mentorship Program where you meet regularly with one of our teachers to study and explore practice in an ongoing way - typically meeting a couple times a month for 6 months. Use the Mentorship Request form to request a mentor assignment. |
What's discussed during dokusan?Here are some notes from Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim about what's discussed during dokusan: Anything related to your Zen practice can be discussed in dokusan or practice discussion. And as Zen practice is all about how to live our lives with more clarity, understanding, and compassion we can talk about just about anything in dokusan. The meetings are brief and to the point and I may prompt you with a simple question such as "what feels most important to discuss?" We can, and should, talk some about the details of zazen meditation as well. What's your experience? Any questions about zazen? Sometimes I may suggest a shift in approach, other times I will encourage you to stay the course. Overall the practice of dokusan is to show up and be yourself: something almost always arises in our meeting that's interesting or valuable. If this all sounds mysterious, just think of dokusan as a chance to check in and say hello to the teacher. We can explore from there. My goal isn’t to figure you out, or give you great advice, but rather to listen deeply and be a mirror to help you see for yourself what's most alive and important in your life and practice. Often we leave dokusan with a feeling of renewed energy and inspiration - and to be honest I don't fully know how it all "works!" -Nomon Tim Burnett, Guiding Teacher |