Cristina's Story
My Heart Was Japanese
Cristina Ombra, Psychotherapist, Italy
For over thirty years, I practiced body-oriented psychotherapy and mindfulness in Italy.
I meditated since I was sixteen.
I studied Zen philosophy.
I read countless books about Japan.
But something was missing.
The First Trip to Japan
More than twelve years ago, I came to Japan for the first time.
And I felt it, deeply:
**My heart was Japanese.**
All my reading, all my practice, all my study —
they led me here, to the original cradle of Zen.
Why Zen School?
The Insider's Edge Competitors Can't Replicate Learn Zen with the people who live it
The greatest value for international participants isn't simply "learning Zen." It's gaining the "Insider's Edge"—learning Zen through Japanese perspectives, an experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
I joined Zen School for three reasons:
1. Integration
To connect Eastern and Western therapeutic approaches authentically, not superficially.
2. Shared Learning
To work alongside Japanese and international colleagues, growing together.
3. Courage to Change
To leave my comfort zone, because change is a source of nourishment.
What I Discovered
Zen School was not just training.
It was a return to the place where my practice takes root.
It confirmed my Ikigai:
It is possible to work and build networks in Japan, grounding one's practice in the integration of diverse skills.
My next step?
To move to Japan and work here, weaving professional and human connections on site.
Does Cristina's Story Resonate With You?
If you feel called to Japan,
if you've been seeking integration between East and West,
if you're ready for a 7-month commitment...
Let's have a conversation.
Why Kamakura? Why Not Tokyo or Kyoto?
Kamakura is not a tourist destination.
It is a living sanctuary where Zen still breathes.
1. Enchanting Location
Immersed in an extraordinary natural environment:
Mountains behind, the sea in front.
The school is at Wakaian (和海庵), a traditional Japanese house with tatami mats, surrounded by gardens.
Perfect for meditation and reflection.
2. The Harmony of *Wa* (和)
In Kamakura, you will experience the Japanese concept of *wa* (和) — harmony.
Not the harmony of avoiding conflict,
but the harmony of honoring differences while moving together.
This is the essence of Zen practice in community.
3. Food as Practice
Meals are prepared with great attention, reflecting the refined taste of Japanese tradition.
Each meal becomes a moment of mindful presence,
fostering a deep connection with food and nourishment.
And yes, sometimes there's tiramisu —
symbolically sealing the collaboration between Italy and Japan,
blending two cultures into a unique culinary experience.
The 7-Month Journey: From Mountain to Village
Zen School is not a weekend retreat.
It is a 7-month immersion that alternates between:
Mountain Practice (山の修行)
Intensive retreats in Kamakura.
離れる。内省する。静寂と向き合う。
Village Practice (里の修業)
Return to your daily life.
実践する。統合する。仲間と振り返る。
Phase 1: Intensive Retreat in Kamakura (2 days)
You will arrive at Wakaian, meet your cohort, and begin.
- Mindful meditation
- Mindful eating
- Dialogue with founders
- Discover your "treasure" (WTHC: Waku-Waku Treasure Hunting Chart)
This is where the psychological safety is established.
Phase 2-4: Prototyping & Monthly Follow-ups (5 months)
Return to your country.
But you're not alone.
Monthly online sessions with your cohort.
Reflecting Talk — a dialogue practice that mirrors back your words, allowing you to discover your own answers.
Phase 5: Final Integration in Kamakura (1 day)
Return to Kamakura.
Walk on Zaimokuza Beach at sunset.
Integrate your 7-month journey.
And begin your next chapter.
What Makes Zen School Different?
1. Not a "Zen Tourism" Experience
This is not a 3-day retreat for tourists.
This is a 7-month commitment for serious practitioners.
Tourism shows you temples. We reveal the living tradition that animates them— the insider's edge that transforms observation into understanding.
You will live with the practice, not just visit it.
2. Integration of Tradition and Modernity
Zen School combines:
- Traditional Zen practices (meditation, Sesshin)
- Contemporary approaches (Reflecting Talk, prototyping, community dialogue)
This allows you to learn in a practical and meaningful way.
3. Community of Practice
You will work alongside:
- Japanese participants seeking global perspectives
- International participants seeking authentic Japanese wisdom
This creates an atmosphere of mutual learning and cross-cultural enrichment.
Beyond language exchange: forge lasting friendships through side-by-side practice with Japanese teachers and practitioners.
Japanese participants rediscover their culture through your eyes— you gain insights impossible to find in books. A true exchange that enriches everyone.
Don't Just Learn Zen. Understand It from the Inside Out. Experience it with those who embody it daily.
4. Recognition of Your Talents
Zen School is not about becoming someone else.
It's about recognizing your own talents and putting them at the service of the community.
As Cristina said:
"Zen School allowed me to recognize my own talents and bring out my human, personal, and professional potential."
5. Ikigai Confirmation
Many participants, like Cristina, discover or confirm their Ikigai through Zen School.
Not as a concept to study,
but as a lived experience to embody.
Investment & Application
7 Months. $2,000.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Most mindfulness retreats in the US or Europe cost $3,500-$5,000 for just 3-5 days.
Zen School offers **7 months** of deep transformation for **$2,000**.
Why So Affordable?
We believe transformation should not be a luxury.
Zen School is rooted in the spirit of 贈与 (zōyo) — the gift economy.
We are not here to maximize profit.
We are here to gather co-founders of a new way of living.
Early Bird: Apply by November 30, 2025
If you apply by November 30, 2025, you will lock in the current price of $2,000.
Starting December 1, 2025, the price will increase to $2,400 as we add more personalized support (1-on-1 sessions with founders, alumni mentorship, post-program coaching).
Even at $2,400, it's still 1/3 the price of comparable programs.
Let's Have a Conversation
"This is not a sales call. It's a conversation between fellow travelers."
Koji Miki & Shigeru Utsunomiya
We know this is a big decision.
Seven months. $2,000. Kamakura, Japan.
It's not something you decide lightly.
That's why we offer a free 30-minute consultation — on Zoom, or in person if you're in Kamakura.
This is your chance to:
• Meet us (Koji & Shigeru)
• Share your story and your questions
• Feel if Zen School is right for you
If it's not the right fit, we'll tell you.
If you decide it's not for you, that's completely okay.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just dialogue.
zenschool
Kamakura , Japan
Founded by Koji Miki
→ Learn more about Koji's work
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