Zenways

Zenways facilitates activities and practices that enhance wellbeing, balance and awakening in the mo

Zen meditation and teaching, retreats and workshops
200 hour intensive Zen Yoga teacher training
Meditation & mindfulness teacher training

31/03/2026

Daizan standing outside one of the gates to the city where Zen Master Joshu (Zhaozhou) taught.

When a monk asked “What is Joshu?”, Joshu answered: “East gate, South gate, West gate, North gate”.

The monk was perhaps testing the master, asking about his true nature/identity, and Joshu simply pointed to the immediate, everyday physical reality around him (the gates of the town where he lived). But there’s a deeper meaning - by answering with all four gates, Joshu indicated that he is actually everything and everywhere, constantly changing and accessible from any direction. He’s inviting the monk to enter the gate and see him directly.

28/03/2026

With Gerry McCulloch today getting photography of some previously unseen calligraphies by our late teacher Shinzan Roshi - ahead of our memorial exhibition of his work at our London dojo 7-11 June. Look out for more on that coming soon. Or check out our new memorial website www.notonenottwo.com

The calligraphies shown here are
1) Who are you?
2) What is your original face?
3) Drink tea

24/03/2026

Join Mark Kuren Westmoquette and Jo Barclay for this Zen retreat day exploring the dynamic, direct teachings of the 9th-century Chinese Zen master Rinzai (Linji), through the lens and living legacy of our late teacher Shinzan Roshi.

Teaching of Rinzai and his famous KATSU shout
26 April, 10-5pm (UK time)
Attend in-person at Zenways London dojo, or online

Through guided practices, we’ll discover what it means to let Rinzai’s Katsu arise from the body, breath and whole being.

More details on Zenways.org

15/03/2026

Join Mark Kuren Westmoquette and Jo Barclay for this Zen retreat day exploring the dynamic, direct teachings of the 9th-century Chinese Zen master Rinzai (Linji), through the lens and living legacy of our late teacher Shinzan Roshi.

Teaching of Rinzai and his famous KATSU shout
26 April, 10-5pm (UK time)
In-person at Zenways London dojo, and online

Through guided practices, we’ll discover what it means to let Rinzai’s Katsu arise from the body, breath and whole being.

More details on Zenways.org

11/03/2026

Next Breakthrough to Zen Retreat is coming up next month at the beautiful Anam Cara retreat centre in the Scottish highlands just outside Inverness.

Our 64hr retreat is laser-beam focused on enquiring into the fundamental question of who you are. Come with us and find out your true nature.

30/01/2026

Alex came on our yoga 200 hr teacher training in 2014.

Our next course is 3-17 April near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Full details on our website.

200hrsyogateachertraining

17/01/2026

Join senior zen yoga teacher Mark Westmoquette for an online workshop & CPD course. He’ll be exploring the deep anatomical and energetic connection between the pelvic floor and the diaphragm through somatic movement, anatomical awareness and gentle breathwork.

24 January 2026, 9:30-12:00 (UK time). Details on our website or DM for more details.

Suitable for all who have an interest in deepening their yoga practice - including men and women, with or without a clear sense of their pelvic floor. Also great for qualified teachers wanting to deepen their knowledge.

14/01/2026

In the Zen precepts ceremony (jukai) there’s a point where we do san-ge.

San means to regret. In the preparation for the ceremony, the student writes out all their past misdeeds, unwholesome actions and behaviours that caused pain. Then during the ceremony the paper is burnt, as is happening here, as a way of helping the student let go of all that past karma.

Ge means resolve. They then make a resolve to be more skilful, kind and aware in the future.

Although this is a pivotal part of the jukai ceremony, it’s something we return to again and again in our practice, letting go more and more fully of those past regrets, feelings of guilt and misjudgments.

11/01/2026

Samu (mindful work) is the practice of bringing awareness and presence into everyday activities. It is work done in a spirit of giving and mindfulness.

Any regular activity works well, like cleaning, cooking, gardening, or doing the laundry or washing up.

🧹 Try to do *just* that one thing. When you are washing up, just wash the dishes; put aside thoughts about anything else or planning your next activity.

🧹 Move with intention. Moving slowly can help enhance attention , but it doesn’t have to be slow. Try to be fully present in what you’re doing.

🧹 Let go of results. It’s not about achieving, it’s about bringing Zen to life through action.

Gradually you can begin incorporating Zen and mindfulness into all your daily activities. Your 25mins practice grows to hours a day…!

05/01/2026

It’s been a few years since our primary focus shifted from our dojo in London to our increasingly world-wide sangha that join online. We like to think that your front room is an extension of our dojo.

Practice with us online - join for regular weekly zazen meetings, retreats, ceremonies, 1-to-1 meetings with our teachers and much more. We’d love to see you.

03/01/2026

Are you looking for a professional training that enables you to share the authenticated benefits of meditation and mindfulness practice, while at the same time supporting your own journey of development? Here’s a breakdown of how our mindfulness teacher training pathway works, and how our courses can help you develop as a teacher.

Our training path comprises a core foundation module plus two optional extension modules. Module 1 is stand-alone, and modules 2 & 3 are optional extension courses that will ultimately allow you to become an certified teacher with the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA).

We also offer an adjunct Zen Compassion Plus Teacher Training course open to any certified mindfulness teacher (from any school). This qualifies you to teach a stand-alone four-week course that introduces, shares and guides students through the four boundless meditations of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

Sound up your street? Find out more on www.zenways.org.

Find your truth, teach your truth, embody your Zen Way.

29/12/2025

When we receive the precepts (Jukai) we make a vow to live with more awareness, compassion and honesty.

They’re not judgments on your behaviour, or standards given externally, not is it ab out joining some kind of club. They’re invitations, questions, living koans that we meet freshly in every moment of our life.

The ceremony involves taking refuge, acknowledging past mistakes and receiving the 16 bodhisattva precepts. It’s just a milestone on your journey, not a finish line.

Some feel the ceremony isn’t important, some find it deeply meaningful. Either way, the real practice is how we show up moment by moment: living in a way that reduces harm, brings more kindness and compassion and living in a clearer, more wise way.

If you feel moved to take the precepts, we offer this both in-person and online. Get in touch.

Address

London
SE58RE

Telephone

+441698542677

Website

http://www.zenways.org/

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