Sound can have a profound and immediate effect on your subconscious. When combined with mediation, they can help you to achieve a deeper meditative state than when you are in silence. This program is sometimes run together with the Meditation Walking. The program can be run inside or outside and will use Tibetan bells or others to aid with the Meditation.

This program can be arranged from two participants. Normally meeting at Horakuan, we will either set out hiking from the temple or drive to another location before hiking in silence away from built up areas. We will stop in various tranquil locations to carry out breathing exercises, meditations or creative activities – such as mandala drawing – allowing our minds to be influenced by the natural world around us.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Behind Horakuan is a purpose built meditation path in our garden. This meditative exercise focuses on aligning our breathing with our steps as we reconnect with the natural world. This program is carried out barefoot to allow us to become grounded and connected with the earth and is often combined with other programs – such as Meditation with sound. It is advised that you bring a small foot towel with you.

“Meditative walking is an integral part of meditative practice that supports a spiritual journey.

When we walk with no aim to get somewhere, we are available to enjoy the walk itself, the pace, fresh air and open space. We focus on our breath and bring our attention to the body, the movement and the way it affects us. Steady tempo can allow us to withdraw from the habitual thought process and help us attune to ourselves inside and to the nature around.

Regular practice can facilitate to maintain a healthy balanced life. Meditative walking can also help us avoid accumulating tension that is due to unresolved difficulties and therefore promote a peaceful state of mind.”

(Text by: Mochita Har-Lev. Thank you!)

3rd Tuesday of the Month
9:00 – 10:00
Please bring your own brush-pen (fudepen). A small donation is appreciated.

Copying sutra (the teachings of Buddha) is a form of meditation, done in the same mind as zazen. This activity harmonizes body and mind, facilitates the flow of creative energy, increases familiarity with sutra, and fosters a deeper contemplation of sutra. Participants may copy sutra text (written in Japanese kanji) or trace images of various Buddhist figures (Shabutsu).

Text, images, and materials are provided.

For more information please email horakuan(at)gmail.com.

Spiritual practice and Art

In many traditions art has always been an integral part of spiritual practice. Creativity is simply to allow the spirit to fly free where it wants to go, give it life, let it play and direct you back towards remembering your sacred self – it is the vehicle and the essential language of giving meaning to that which connects us all.

The Zen arts are examples of meditation in action, and they are practiced to bring about the same kind of results as zazen or sitting meditation. The total attention, precision, and discipline required for true creativity to blossom though one’s own craft requires fully inhabiting the present moment, free of self and other, past and future, in a non-conceptual state of wakefulness.

Letting go of old expectations and conditioning as well as loosening our attachments towards personal creativity is an essential part needed in order to create from a meditative state of mind.”

(Quoted text by: Mochita Har-Lev.)

If you have questions about Zen Buddhism, your spiritual path, or a life challenge you are facing, please feel free to contact us at horakuan(at)gmail.com to schedule an individual meeting. All conversations are confidential.