Zen hikes are about enjoying meditation in a more relaxed, informal, and natural environment. Zen hikes are about enjoying the outdoors with more of a sense of immediacy and connection.
I usually lead Zen hikes on Saturdays, and the schedule is roughly:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Short orientation, then hiking in silence, with a bathroom stop.
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Sitting meditation.
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Hiking in silence, with a bathroom stop.
11:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. - I give a talk, ending with a question and answer period.
11:40 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - We return to the starting point. This is a good time to talk and get acquainted.
What to bring depends largely on the location of the hike and the weather. Here are some items to consider:
Appropriate footwear. Hiking shoes with good traction for the mountains. Slip-on sandals for the beach.
Water bottle.
Hat.
Sun-protective clothing and/or sunscreen.
Warm clothes.
Something to sit on. We might be sitting on rocky outcrops, grass, or sand. A beach towel makes a good sitting mat. A stuff sack containing a fleece jacket makes a good sitting cushion - add a partially-inflated beach ball for more loft.
Sam Gabriel, San Diego, CA
http://home.roadrunner.com/~clothespin
sam_gabriel@yahoo.com