New to Zen? You are welcome here.

Why people come

People come to sit for many reasons: stress, grief, anxiety, a season of change, loneliness, simple curiosity, or the quiet wish to meet life more steadily. Zen does not promise a quick fix. It offers something plainer and more lasting: a place to sit down, be present, and return to your life with a little more honesty and care.

You do not need to arrive with a reason at all, or with any experience, any belief, or any special clothing. Curiosity is enough.

Your first morning

If it's your first time sitting with us, come a little early. Plan to arrive by about 7:50, ten minutes before the 8:00 orientation, so you have time to park, slip off your shoes, and settle. When you arrive, just let someone know it's your first visit, and we'll make sure you're welcomed and shown the way.

At 8:00 there's a short, friendly orientation: an experienced sitter will walk you through how to sit zazen, the simple forms of the morning, and what the bells mean. We recommend it even if you've practiced before, as a gentle way to settle into how we do things. There's nothing to prepare and nothing to memorize, and questions are always welcome.

If you'd like, RSVP ahead and tell us a little about what brings you, so we can welcome you well. It's never required, though, and you're always free to simply arrive.

We sit at Cancer Survivors Park Center for Hope & Healing in Greenville. Park free in the public lot at 44 Cleveland Street; the building where we sit is at 52 Cleveland Street, a short walk down the hill. From the lot, come down toward the river and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Our entrance is the building beneath the large white sculpture that looks like a circus tent, on the Swamp Rabbit Trail by the river. There are restrooms inside, and we gather quietly in a small anteroom as we arrive.

Please silence your phone, or leave it in the car, and lock any valuables in the car as well. As you come in, slip off your shoes, keep your voice low and soft, and let the room stay quiet. These small courtesies are how a zendo holds its stillness.

Once you are inside, enter softly and take any open cushion or chair. You may notice small forms, like a standing bow with palms together, called gassho. None of it is required knowledge, and no one expects you to know it; you will be guided through everything, gently.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Dark, plain colors without distracting patterns or designs are best, and please avoid perfume or strong scents, out of care for those sitting near you. You are welcome to bring your own cushion or bench; cushions and chairs are provided too.

Silence your phone before you come in, and leave it in the lockers with your shoes. The quiet of the room will help you forget it.

Accessibility

The park has free public parking in an accessible lot, and a path leads down the hill from the lot to the entrance on the Swamp Rabbit Trail by the river. Chairs are always available, and sitting in a chair is a complete way to practice. If you have a question about access, write to us at hello@greenvillezen.org and we will make sure you have what you need.