My first zazen session at Zen Paris

Why let us know at least 2 days in advance?

The group is small and each new practitioner is welcomed individually before the collective session begins. An experienced practitioner guides you personally through the essentials: posture, hand position, gaze orientation, breathing. This individual welcome is only possible if the dojo knows you are coming.

What happens during the session?

At 9:50 am, arrive at the courtyard entrance. A zafu and zabuton are lent to you — no need to bring your own.

The session lasts approximately two hours (ending around noon). It alternates between:

• Zazen — seated meditation, the heart of the practice
• Kinhin — slow walking meditation between two periods of sitting
• The Heart Sutra — a short ceremony at the end of the session; you are not required to participate

After the session, if you wish, stay for coffee with the group.

What to bring

• Loose, dark clothing: no jeans, no bright colours — anything that allows you to cross your legs comfortably.
• €5 in cash (or bank transfer).
• Zafus and zabutons are provided by the dojo.

Getting there

50 rue Labat, Espace Mélane, 75018 Paris · Courtyard entrance.

Château-Rouge metro (line 4) or Marcadet-Poissonniers (lines 4 and 12).

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Learn more

• Introduction to zen — why the posture cannot be improvised
• Zazen — the Buddha’s meditation — understanding the posture in depth
• Meditative walking kinhin — concentration in movement
• Come to the Zen Paris dojo — times, prices, how to get there