“It is essential at the beginning of practice to acknowledge that the path is personal and intimate. It is no good to examine it from a distance as if it were someone else’s. You must walk it for yourself.” – Robert Aitken
New to Zen? Start Here.
If you’re new to Zen or just beginning a meditation practice, we warmly encourage you to attend either a Beginners’ Night or the Intro to Zen Seminar as your first visit to the Zen Center of Denver. Each offers a welcoming doorway into Zen practice, and you’re invited to start with whichever feels more aligned with your schedule and interest.
Both events include instruction in posture and breath awareness, opportunities to ask questions, and a sense of what it feels like to sit in community. Many newcomers find that attending one of these offerings helps them feel more grounded and confident for future participation.
Choose Beginners’ Night if you’d like to start with a shorter, guided experience on a weeknight. It’s perfect if you’re curious about zazen (sitting meditation), want to ease in gently, and are interested in practicing alongside others in a supportive setting.
Beginners’ Nights are offered once a month on a Tuesday or Thursday evening at 6:50 pm. They begin in our community room with brief instruction in various sitting postures for zen meditation (zazen) and how to still the body and quiet the mind through awareness of the breath. This is followed by a single 25-minute round of zazen in the zendo which ends with walking meditation (kinhin). After kinhin everyone in the zendo is invited to contribute to a question and answer period with the teachers and discussion focused on beginning practice. The evening ends at 8:45 after a closing ceremony including chanting. Registration is required.
On the Tuesday or Thursday evening following a Beginners’ Night, a question and answer period will be offered in the community room during the second round of sitting. This is an opportunity to bring up questions and receive support regarding the common challenges of beginning practice.
Choose the Intro to Zen Seminar if you prefer a deeper dive into the basics—held on a Saturday morning, this two-hour session includes more time for questions, finding your best sitting posture, and meeting teachers in a relaxed, interactive format.
The seminar provides an expanded opportunity to explore getting started at the Zen Center of Denver, and is recommended for anyone new to Zen and sitting meditation. Held monthly on a Saturday morning from 9-12, during this class you can meet our teachers, ask questions about Zen, become familiar with our practice forms, and learn how to meditate in a comfortable sitting posture, either on the floor using traditional cushions (zafus and zabutons), or chairs as needed. Please check the calendar for exact dates and times. Registration is required. Link here?
On the Sunday morning following a seminar, teisho and dharma talks by our teachers are frequently offered. Attendance is encouraged as a follow-up experience to the seminar, but not required.These events typically begin with one or two 25-minute rounds of zazen followed by kinhin and may include a chanting service. Please check the calendar for exact dates and times.
Have some experience with Zen?
Join us for any of our daily sittings.
If you’re joining us in person:
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so we can greet you and offer a short orientation
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes—dark, quiet colors are best
- Out of care for those with allergies, please avoid perfume or scented products
If you’re joining online:
- Zoom links are posted at the top of each page
- Please log in 10 minutes early and keep your video on during the session, if possible
Resources for Getting Started
Intro to Zen audio series
In this short audio series, our teachers Peggy Metta Sheehan and Karin Ryuku Kempe offer brief instruction in how to do zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), and discuss obstacles to practice (the Five Hindrances).
Introduction to Zen Meditation 1 with Peggy Metta Sheehan
Introduction to Zen Meditation 2 with Karin Ryuku Kempe
Introduction to Zen Meditation 3: Walking Meditation with Peggy Metta Sheehan
Introduction to Zen Meditation 4: The Five Hindrances with Karin Ryuku Kempe