Why 7 months?
The experiences and values accumulated over 40 or 50 years of life cannot be organized in a short period of time. Unlike career change seminars that offer quick results, zenschool takes the time to help you face your inner self. We ourselves have found our own paths this way, facing our own challenges alone and occasionally asking someone to listen to us.
Five steps
Step 1: Initial intensive retreat (2 consecutive days)
Location: Kamakura, Wakaian Studio Time: At the start of the program
Take a break from your busy daily life and spend two days taking stock of your life.
What it does:
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Sorting out past life experiences
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Work that reminds you of the excitement of being 10 years old
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Team building with two instructors and two to three students
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Creating an exciting treasure hunting chart
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Finding the intersection between current experiences and excitement
Reason for two consecutive days: Deep introspection requires a certain amount of time. One day tends to limit you to superficial realizations, but by taking two days, you can access deeper thoughts and values that you normally don't pay attention to.
The significance of Kamakura: By physically getting away from everyday life, you can look at yourself from a different perspective. Kamakura's nature and historical atmosphere will help you deepen your introspection.
Step 2: Online presentation (approximately one month later)
Format: Online (Zoom)
Participants: 2 instructors + 2-3 students + zenschool graduates
We will present the insights gained from the retreat and what we have been thinking about over the past month.
Why we are announcing this:
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Putting your thoughts into words deepens your understanding
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Gain new perspectives from your peers
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Listen to the experiences of graduates and use them as reference for the future
Announcement:
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Realizations at the retreat
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Exciting Treasure Hunting Chart Contents
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What I'm currently working on and thinking about
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What I want to do in the future
Zenschool graduates will also be participating, so it's a valuable opportunity to get advice from seniors while imagining yourself a few years from now.
Step 3: Monthly follow-up (5 times)
Frequency: Approximately once a month Format: Online or in person in Kamakura
After the presentation, we will continue to follow up for approximately five months.
Key features:
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Prototyping (making ideas concrete)
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Consideration of business plans and implementation methods
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Checking progress and correcting course
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Exchange information with colleagues
Once a month: This is a pace that even busy people can participate at without difficulty. Weekly sessions would be too much of a burden, and once a quarter would be too long a gap to maintain continuity. Monthly sessions are the optimal balance.
Individual support: With a small class size of 2-3 students, we are able to provide detailed support tailored to each individual's situation.
Step 4: Final integration session (Kamakura)
Location: Kamakura, Wakaian Studio Period: Last month of the program
We will reflect on the past seven months, synthesize what we have learned, and identify our future direction.
Session content:
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Looking back at the changes over the past seven months
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Specific future action plans
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Future relationships with colleagues
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Confirmation of Program Completion
Walking meditation at Zaimokuza Beach: At the end of the session, we will walk along the beach and reflect on the past seven months. It is a time to prepare your mind for a new start while listening to the sound of the waves.
Step 5: Ongoing Community
Format: Facebook Messenger group, alumni-only event
Even after the program ends, there is a community where participants continue to learn and support each other.
During the program:
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Sharing everyday observations and concerns
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Exchange of materials and information
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Preparation for the next session
After the program:
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Online social gathering for alumni only
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Advice for new challenges
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Business matching and collaboration opportunities
Differences from other programs
General business schools:
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The teacher will give you the answer
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Focus on efficiency through short-term intensive training
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Competitive environment
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Lecture-based
zenschool:
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Participants find the answer themselves
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Seven months of careful exploration
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A collaborative and safe environment
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Emphasis on experience and introspection
The number of students is set at 2-3
For large seminars:
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Limited opportunities to speak
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Difficult to have deep conversations
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Individual support is difficult
With only 2-3 students, we can:
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Ensuring enough time for each person
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A psychologically safe environment where you can speak your mind
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Detailed support tailored to individual circumstances
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Building lasting, deep relationships
Psychological safety
At zenschool, we place the utmost importance on "psychological safety." Therefore, we design this environment not just with words, but with concrete mechanisms.
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A culture of non-criticism and non-evaluation
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An attitude of accepting failure and uncertainty
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Mutual respect among participants
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And as the foundation that supports all of this, all participants, instructors, and administrators will sign a "Mutual Confidentiality Pledge."
It is precisely because this space is protected by this promise that you can truly feel safe sharing your deepest thoughts and worries that you would not normally share with others.
If you have any further questions about the program or how to participate,
Please see [Frequently Asked Questions (About the Program)] .
Learn more about the ideological background of zenschool
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