FAQ
Honest answers
The questions people most often ask before a first sitting. If yours is not here, write to us at [email protected], and we will gladly answer.
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Many people sit for the very first time with us, and the 8:00 orientation exists exactly for newcomers. We will show you how to sit, what the bells mean, and what the morning holds.
Do I have to be Buddhist, or believe anything in particular?
No. You do not have to be Buddhist, and you do not have to hold any particular belief. Zen is experiential rather than doctrinal. Come as you are, with whatever you bring.
Can I sit in a chair?
Yes. Chairs are always available, and sitting in a chair is a complete way to practice. A steady, upright, comfortable posture is the only aim, and we will help you find one that works for your body.
What if my mind is busy?
Then you are like everyone else in the room. You are not trying to empty your mind or stop your thoughts. When a thought comes, you let it come; when it goes, you let it go, without judgment. You simply keep sitting. That letting come and letting go is the whole of the practice.
What if hard feelings come up when I sit?
Sometimes they do. Sitting quietly with an open mind can bring up more than calm: old grief, anxiety, anger, and memory can surface on the cushion. This is rarely a sign that something has gone wrong; it is often the practice doing just what it does, letting what was held down come into the light. Practice steadily rather than heroically, especially at the start, and tell us plainly when sitting becomes difficult. Zazen does not replace medical or mental health care. If you carry significant depression, trauma, or another condition, it is wise to keep working with a clinician as you take up practice. If sitting consistently leaves you more distressed rather than more free, please talk it through with both a teacher and a professional. The practice is patient. It will wait for you.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Sittings are free to attend and the group is volunteer-run. Offerings are welcome and entirely your choice, but there is never a charge to practice with us.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Greenville Zen Center is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and you will receive a receipt for your records. Giving is always welcome and never required, and every sitting stays free either way.
What if I feel awkward?
A little awkwardness is normal, and it passes. You do not need to know the forms; we will quietly show you what to do, and watching someone near you is always enough. No one is measuring your stillness. Everyone here was new once.
Is there chanting?
Our mornings are mostly silent. We close by offering the merit of the practice together in a few simple words, but there is nothing you need to memorize, and you are always free to simply listen.
Is it a long time to sit still?
It is gentler than it sounds. The morning is broken up: a short orientation for newcomers, two periods of seated meditation with slow walking (kinhin) in between, and a brief reading to close. You are never locked in. Kinhin is a natural time to step out or return, chairs are always available, and you can shift your posture whenever you need to. One newcomer told us they worried it might feel long, and found it passed more easily than they expected.
Can I come just once?
Yes. Come once and see how it feels. You are free to simply visit, and always welcome back.
Do I need to learn the forms first?
No. There is nothing to prepare and nothing to memorize. You will be guided through everything, gently, when you arrive.
Are children welcome?
Our sittings are silent and still, which asks more than most young children can comfortably offer, so they are adults-only. You are very welcome anytime you can slip away for an hour.
