First meeting

Group meetings take place on Wednesday evenings. These meetings are conducted by Zoom on a weekly basis, and face-to-face once a month (typically the second Wednesday of the month) at a venue in Wooldale near Holmfirth.

Before your first visit it is best to contact one of the group members on the “Contact us” page, to check that a meeting is definitely going ahead on the Sunday you wish to attend.

When you arrive, an experienced group member will introduce you to the group and explain the basics of Zen meditation. You will be helped to find a comfortable sitting posture, usually on a chair or meditation bench.

Meetings usually include a simple Buddhist ceremony along with two 25 or 30-minute periods of silent, seated meditation (zazen), linked by a 5-minute walking meditation.

As it is important to be comfortable during meditation we wear loose-fitting clothes and remove shoes.

After the meeting we have tea and biscuits together and sometimes listen to a recorded talk connected with Zen meditation practice. This is a time for the group to be together and share the Dharma (teaching) in an informal way.

What will it cost?

There is no charge to attend a meeting, though there is a suggested donation in the region of £3.00 to help cover costs. If your income is limited there is certainly no obligation to meet the suggested amount.