Practicing Zen At Home

The below materials have been produced to meet the needs of those who wish to establish a daily practice at home. It is based loosely on protocols and rituals followed at Zen Centers in the Soto lineage and tradition as documented by the abbot of the Silent Thunder Order and adopted for practice at the Atlanta Soto Zen Center and its network of affiliates in the USA and Canada. The purpose of the materials are to assist anyone in adopting Soto protocols and recital of liturgy supporting their home practice of Zen, and to complement regular group practice with their local center. Some verses, such as the meal chant, allow observance in daily activities are offered to support sangha’s (the community’s practice) home practice.

  • Basics of Zen (Sitting with Sensei) -Consists of two sets of audio teaching: Beginner and Intermediate; each containing three brief talks on the three main aspects of Zen meditation: Posture, Breath, and Attention. Each instruction is followed by a period of silence marked by beginning and end bells, which allow the participant to time their mediation period of about 25 minutes.

  • Zen Practice at Home Manual - This manual consists of a set of daily liturgies suggested, organized by days of the week, alternating the Heart Sutra with the Hannya Shingyo (SinoJapanese), followed by “feature” chants selected from traditional Soto Zen liturgy from ancient China and Japan. In the monastic model, chanting is done upon awakening, during meals, and at various times of the day, such as morning, noon, and evening. The monastic version is rather complex, and so may not be appropriate for the lay follower of Zen. The practitioner is encouraged to utilize the contents flexibly, and to develop a version of a chanting service in support of daily Zen meditation (zazen).

  • Soto Zen Service Chant Book - This is the chant book utilized during Soto Zen services and can also be found within the Zen Practice at Home manual.

  • An Introduction to Zazen Book -Manual from Sotoshu Shumucho.

  • The Practice of Zazen - Visual booklet outlining, posture, sitting, and walking meditation.

  • Chair Meditation Booklet -Visual booklet outlining chair meditation.

    In order for Atlanta Soto Zen Center to continue to support the propagation of Zen training within the Atlanta community and beyond through training, dharma talks, and the materials above, we ask that you support our efforts by donating ($10 is the suggested donation for material fees, however are grateful for whatever donation you can make in support of our efforts.) using the below options;

  • Via Zelle or PayPal to: taiunmelliston@gmail.com

  • Via USPS or mail:

    Sensei Michael Elliston

    984 St Charles Ave NE 

    Atlanta GA 30306-4222