Simply SITTING…

Edinburgh Zen Dōjō • Mushin-dō (無心道)
is under the guidance of Master Jikō Simone Wolf at Ryokuinzan Kōsetsu-ji, and is a recognised direct branch of the Association Zen Internationale (AZI), Zen Temple La Gendronnière.

Wednesday Morning Sitting, 7am & 9am
Sunday Morning Sitting, 7am & 9am

Zazen (25 minutes)
Kinhin (5 minutes)
Zazen (25 minutes)
Ceremony (10 minutes)

• Loose clothing for sitting

• Beginners are very welcome, get in touch about an introductory session

• I have zafu’s, but you can bring your own

• Please arrive 15 minutes before

• Send me a message if you want to come along

• £5 per sitting/£20 per month

The Edinburgh Zen Dōjō, Mushin-dō offers weekly practice in the Sōtō Zen tradition. The dōjō is led by zen monk Luke Teikō Cunningham, under the continued guidance of his Master Simone Jikō Wolf and her temple, Kōsetsu-ji. It is within the lineage of Taisen Deshimaru Rōshi and Kōdō Sawaki Rōshi.

Weekly sittings are held on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. The schedule follows a simple and traditional form: 25 minutes of zazen (seated meditation), 5 minutes of kinhin (walking meditation), 25 minutes of zazen, and closed with a ceremony of chanting and tea.

The dōjō welcomes those who wish to engage sincerely with Zen practice. No prior experience is necessary, though participants are asked to approach the practice with openness and sincerity. It is essential that you respect for silence and form. Zen practice is direct and uncomplicated, but not casual.

Send an email if you are interested in joining.

Mushin-dō is connected to the wider Sōtō Zen tradition through Kōsetsu-ji and is a recognised branch of La Gendronnière Temple in France. Simone Jikō Wolf was ordained by Taisen Deshimaru Rōshi in the late 1970’s, and subsequently received shihō (dharma transmission) from Yuko Okamoto Rōshi in 2004. Sensi Deshimaru was a disciple of Kōdō Sawaki Roshi and after Sawaki died he received shiho from Yamada Reirin Zenji. Sensi Deshimaru came to France after his transmission and soon founded the Association Zen Internationale and La Gendronnière Temple. This was the first zen temple in Europe and currently serves as the collective headquarters for European Sōtō Zen.

Mushin-dō (無心道)

Mu (無) means without, no, or non. Shin (心) means heart, mind, or consciousness. Dō (道) means the way, the path. Taken together, Mushin-dō can be understood as the way of no-mind. It is the practice of zazen. Simply sitting, beyond gaining, beyond grasping, returning again and again to direct presence.

“They want the startling view, the horrid pinnacle - sips of beer and tea instead of milk. Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.” - Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain

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