Zazen (sitting meditation) is the basic practice of Zen as it provides the easiest conditions in which to experience a heightened state of awareness. Zazen cultivates sensitivity to subtle bodily sensations and connections, as well as to the flow of energy. To sit zazen well, one must harmonize the mind, body, and breathing. Only when the three are realized as one will it be possible to succeed in stabilizing and tranquilizing the body and mind at the same time. These three things are inseparable from each other.

The Zen training program followed at Zenshinkan Dojo is taken from the training taught at Daihonzan Chozen-ji temple. Chozen-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Hawaii, where the martial arts and cultural arts are integrated with traditional Zen training. Here, entering Zen through the body is emphasized. The student must refine breath, posture, and awareness to cultivate Samadhi, a state of complete concentration and relaxation. In Samadhi a person transcends dualism, lives fully moment by moment, and is most effective and creative. When one's body works according to natural principles, a person transcends himself as a subject working upon an object and demonstrates Zen in activity. (taken from Chozen-ji Introductory brochure)

Our training follows the principle of "Zen, Ken, Sho": Zen-zazen training for the mind, Ken-martial art training for the body, and Sho-cultural art training for the spirit. The same principles and practices are directly related to each and can be unified into our training on or off the mat, and taken into the day-to-day interactions of our lives.

About the Instructors:

Tom Maney began his training in Zen and Aikido in 1995 under the direction of Zenshinkan Dojo founder, Edward Haupt Sensei. After Haupt Sensei's death in 1999, Tom became the direct student of Zen Master Hosokawa Dogen Roshi, Abbot of Daihonzan Chozen-ji. His emphasis is to show the synergy between mind and body training that is directly applicable to our daily lives. Tom has spent over 25 years training in both Raja yoga and Zen meditation. Years ago Tom dedicated many years to living directly with his teacher in a yoga ashram. Tom also currently holds the Aikido rank of Shodan with Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

Robert Caron Sensei began his training in Zen and Aikido in 1995 under the direction of Edward Haupt Sensei. After Haupt Sensei's death in 1999, Caron Sensei continued his Zen training at Zenshinkan under the direction of the Zen Training Academy International (formerly known as International Zen Dojo Sogenkai) and the community of Zen teachers and students, which were apart of that group. Caron Sensei emphasizes Zen training as a direct and powerful way to realize our true nature and gain personal and spiritual depth in our martial arts training and in our daily lives. Caron Sensei also currently holds the Aikido rank of Sandan with Aikikai Hombu Dojo and is the Chief Instructor of Zenshinkan Dojo.