Dokusan, the private encounter between
teacher and student, is one of the three pillars of Zen training.
It can be likened to a chick pecking from the inside of the
egg and the hen pecking from the outside of the egg, teacher
and student working together that the student may break through
the shell of delusion and come to self-realization. The purpose
of dokusan is to discuss problems directly relating to your
practice, to receive instruction in mindfulness training (and
to report on the particular mindfulness efforts given), to demonstrate
the results of work on your practice, and testing and validation
of koan investigation.
-Danan Henry Roshi
Karin Kempe Sensei, Ken Morgareidge Sensei and Peggy Sheehan Sensei offer Dokusan to all members at every scheduled sitting, unless the teacher is out of town. Friends and visiting students of other Zen teachers are welcome to attend dokusan to get acquainted with the dokusan process and with the teachers, but regular dokusan is intended for members.
Daisan
Daisan is private instruction with an authorized assistant teacher. Daisan is for members working on a breath practice, initial koan, or every-minute Zen practice. It is offered during selected activities that the assistant teacher is conducting such as zazenkai and weekend sesshin.
