Zen Immersion in Kamakura: a 7-Month Program in Japan with Kouji Miki
There are moments when you realize that studying is no longer enough. You’ve read, practiced, worked on yourself—maybe you even support others in their process… and yet you feel something is missing: lived experience, direct contact with a culture you simply can’t replicate anywhere else.
That’s exactly where Zen Immersion comes from: a path in Japan, in Kamakura, designed as a true journey of transformation and integration (not a touristy “Zen trip” for a few days).
Official program page: Zenschool
What Zen Immersion Is (and Why It’s Not “a Zen Vacation”)
Zen Immersion is a 7-month program that unfolds between Kamakura (Japan) and your return home, with a clear alternation between intensive in-person practice and real integration into daily life.
The structure alternates between:
- Mountain Practice (intensive, in-person practice in Kamakura)
- Village Practice (integration into everyday life + online group follow-ups)
Why Kamakura
Kamakura is a place where Zen isn’t a “theme”—it’s an atmosphere: temples, nature, silence, and essential rhythms. The program takes place in a traditional Japanese house with tatami, surrounded by gardens, with mountains behind you and the sea in front of you.
Program Structure: 5 Phases
Phase 1 — Intensive Retreat in Kamakura (2 days)
You start in person with the group, to enter the practice immediately. The schedule includes mindful meditation, mindful eating, orientation sessions, and guided work to help you discover your direction and personal focus.
Phases 2–4 — Prototyping and Follow-Up (5 months)
You return to your country, but the journey continues: monthly online sessions, practices of listening and dialogue, and concrete integration into your daily life.
Phase 5 — Final Integration in Kamakura (1 day)
You return to Kamakura to close the circle: one day dedicated to integration and consolidation, so what you’ve matured over the months becomes embodied and truly yours.
Who It’s For
This program is designed for psychotherapists, mindfulness practitioners, and “seekers” who feel an authentic call toward Japan—even if they’ve never been there before. It’s ideal for anyone looking for continuity, depth, and a real context (not something artificially staged).
Ikigai, Integration, Community: the Heart of the Work
A recurring theme in the program is Ikigai—not as a motivational slogan, but as a deep, embodied orientation. The focus isn’t “becoming someone else,” but recognizing what truly matters to you and learning to live it with simplicity, presence, and responsibility.
Costs and Application: What to Know
For updated details on the investment, dates, and how to apply, always refer to the program’s official page:
Zen Immersion — official page
How to Know if It’s Right for You
This path does not replace clinical treatment: it is a program of practice, experiential study, and integration. But if you feel you’re at a turning point—personally or professionally—it may be the right moment to take a deeper step, with continuity and within a community of practice.
Contacts
Email: info@cristinaombra.it
Phone: +39 347 483 5382
