Kin- Hin Zen Meditation Centre

For many years neither of us (Natasha and I (attendees)) were the "kind of people who meditated" nor were we the sort of people to sit still and be quiet. We signed up to meditate with Karen almost on a whim for 3 days and after how we felt at the end of three days we extended our practice for another week. It gave us a sense of pace, grounding and peace. it is incredibly hard to put in words what sitting still and being with yourself deliberately and to the exclusion of all other things, for an hour every day does for you. It didn't come easily at first but we gradually picked it up. Nor was it the same any day. There are days we felt wonderfully calm, on others we felt upset or enraged and there were just days where we couldn't sit still. But what it did was set the tone for the rest of our day and helped us manage our day and stresses better. 10/10 would highly recommend for anyone looking to take a minute and dedicate their life to themselves.

I had a great experience practicing Zen meditation with Karen. It's a nice serene place in midst of greenery, and in the morning sessions one may experience chirping of birds in the backdrop, which elevates the atmosphere. Karen did a great job explaining various concepts of Zen meditation and helping us follow them. Unlike other programs with multiple hours of meditation, I personally prefer this program where there is a session in the morning and another in the evening. I would love to come back and do it again.

Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality i just completed an online course with Karen Sivan, and i had a wonderful initiation to the zen meditation and Kin hin meditation, i did 7 one hour sittings and Karen was very prompt and patient in all these sittings, i highly recommend this course by Karen, to someone who wants to start zen meditation from the comfort of their homes.

I had an "online sitting" week with Karen in october 2020 (my plan was to go to Bodhi Zendo in December, but I realised with the ongoning pandemi it was not possible). Before I have met Karen on several happenings, to start with sitting with her when I was on holiday in Kovalam back in 2013. Since then it has grown up to five sesshins with fr. Ama Samy in India, Switzerland and Sweden. I never come close to sit by own, but now I did it online from my own home in Sweden with Karen. After seven mornings/ sitting I shall now try sit on my own for three days and then take another course with Karen for one week. I specially enjoyed that I was in my own surroundings. I was a bit ringrusty about the Closing chant "Ti Sarana" the first morning but learned it for the next day. What is good with Karen is that during the meditation/ sitting you know she is absolutely serious. I like that. After the sitting we will often burst into laughter. This for me was a first start to sit at home. I put some candles on, and then I am there with pc or mobile with Karen in the sitting. And it does do me well. My nerves are stilled, my body and brain functions so much better afterwards. I truelly advice anyone to do this online sitting with Karen. I still have to train more on the Kinhin walking. I remember Karen from my first walking meditation (2013), very slowly, very concentrated. Do try this! Even when it is raining in Kovalam ( a lot of noice) or her cat is on her pc, it doesn't worry me. I am sitting with Karen.

I was attending Zen meditation sessions for a week, twice a day and always happy to come over. Karen warm smile and attitude made the practice much easier. Each session meant a lot to me, it felt simple and difficult in the same way. Since I had private lessons we could adjust everything for me. Definitely recommend!! Just come, sit and see ...

Kin Hin Meditation course was a fantastic experience and great introduction into zen meditation, with a very skilled teacher in Karen. She gave great guidance before and after the meditations, but also allowed us to experience what zen meditation is all about on our own terms. Highly recommend! P. S Her fruit salad is world famous ;)

Fabulous place. Lovely calm, peaceful energy. Highly experienced, caring, sharing meditation teacher. If you’ve ever wanted to learn meditation, if you have a regular practice, don’t hesitate. We are lucky to have such a specialist centre to go to.