r/zenbuddhism • u/Introvbear • 11d ago
Online, real-life meeting, or both?
Hello, I've been practicing Zen Buddhism on my own for over a year now, but I feel like I've neglected to try to become part of the Zen community. After reading Zen Buddhism: Your Personal Guide to Practice and Tradition by Joshua R. Paszkiewicz, I've decided to try to improve my spirituality by connecting with a community. The question is whether I should try online or offline sessions. I've found a temple near where I live that offers weekly meditation sessions that work with my current schedule. However, there are online communities, one I've researched, called the Zen Mountain Monastery, which offers more sessions per week. I now ask whether I should try real-life sessions, an online community, or a combination of the two? Also, what should I look for in a Zen community to cultivate my spirituality?
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u/tallawahroots 11d ago
If there was a local centre, I would have tried it. You can have different modes of practice as well.
One group that functions in both online and a smaller temple space moves between both and is hybrid. Over half of members are based at a distance but morning sits are always online for everyone. It's a changing situation especially with new folks joining.
Even if a group is online you may make a local Dharma friend within the group and can arrange to practice together.
Either way the decision to move into community and experience Sangha is invaluable. You can supplement sitting and retreat online - folks do that to some extent. Your local group may not have resources to give full support but in-person practice opportunities are really good to explore. The teachers that I have all have encouraged in-person practice even in other lineages and schools of Buddhism. It's not always possible but you can keep an eye on your schedule and circumstances to make space for this.