Meditation is the core of Zen practice. Meditation deepens over time, and can be a lifetime pursuit.  Benefits can include increased awareness and concentration, a lessening of stress, and a greater sense of well-being. Walking meditation is offered in between sitting periods. We have both cushions and chairs for sitting.

Kinhin, Walking Meditation

Mindful walking in the Zendo or in nature is an extension of our zazen practice.  Walking meditation is and other forms of body practice are “moving meditation” through which we train ourselves to be mindful throughout our daily lives. 

Teacher Contact

Zen is a process of uncovering unconscious habits and ways of seeing our lives. A teacher can act as a mirror, encouraging and enabling us to see our blind spots. At the Palmetto Zendo, students have the opportunity of working closely with teachers one-on-one. One-on-one encounters with teachers, known as dokusan or daisan in Japanese, are an integral part of the Zen Tradition and are available during most formal sittings.” 

Koan Practice

Koans are traditional stories or interactions between students and teachers, most of which come from the Golden Age of Zen in ancient China. Their purpose is to direct us toward realization of our True Self. Koans are paradoxical in nature. They encourage us to examine our reliance on the logical mind and open to more creative problem solving.