Our "original mind" includes everything within itself... This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind....All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners....Dogen-zenji, the founder of our school, always emphasized how important it is to resume our boundless original mind. Then we are always true to ourselves, in sympathy with all beings, and can actually practice.

Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
 
Zazen Meditation Zazen, or zen meditation, is silent meditation giving attention to our physical presence, including awareness of the breath, posture, and sensations. For more information on zazen, see www.chzc.org/posture.htm and www.chzc.org/Pat1.htm. For books on Zen practice, see www.chzc.org/readlist.htm
Schedule The Virginia Beach Zen Group meets on Thursday evenings for two periods of Zen meditation (zazen) with a period of walking meditation (kinhin) in between, followed by sutra chanting and ending with a discussion group.

Contact Information

Richard Hovorka hosts the Zen Group
for more information contact him at
(757) 427-0082 or rhovorka@chrysler.org

Suzuki Roshi said, "We practice our way not for ourselves and not for others.
We practice our way for the sake of our way. There is no other reason why we practice our way. We just want to go back to our home as a duck wants to return to water...like a traveler who comes back and lies down in his own bed."

The Zen Group is affiliated with the Chapel Hill Zen Center, which is in the lineage of
Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi, see www.chzc.org/default.htm