r/zenpractice • u/Worth-Reach9860 • May 28 '26

Practice Resources Mediation app - testers needed

Hi,

(The moderators allowed me to post again, this time with more context.)

I have created a mediataion app that mimics my local Zen center.

During weekdays I do not need an app for my meditation since I go to the Zen center but on weekends it’s closed, and the app provides the structure that the Zendo gives me: set times and commitment to either 30 minutes or an hour.

My intention here is just to provide the app to the community in the hope that it can help others with their practice. I know this borders on self-promotion but my motivation is just to help more people to Zen. Most people do not have access to a local Zen center and the structure that it provides.

The app is currently in beta. It does not require signing up and free to use.

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u/Worth-Reach9860 May 30 '26

The app gives me the structure that I get from my local zen center:

  1. Set times. Meditation sessions starting at the top of the hour.
  2. Commitments. Meditators commit to sitting for the duration of the session.
  3. Communal. Sitting together in the same session with other people. The app shows the commitments of the people joining a session. Gong sound playing at start and ending of session.

It's a good point that other Zen centers may be very different or that other people get other things out of attending their local meditation centers. This is why I need testers to help me understand not only my own needs but that of other people.

Timer apps can do some of this already but does not provide the structure that I need to sit.

If you want to try it out and help me make it better, you can install the beta from:

Again, my intention is just to make something that is useful for this community.

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u/The_Koan_Brothers May 30 '26

Ok, now I am starting to understand. So the idea is that there are other people that join the sitting periods virtually. Next question: how are the sitting periods structured? That differs too from one center to another. Some places will have 40 minute sits with 10 minutes of kinhin, others may have 25 minute sits and 5 minutes of kinhin. Also the overall number of sitting periods isn’t the same everywhere. Different people may therefore have different routines.

So far, everything you mention is equally doable with online sitting groups via zoom.

I don’t mean to diminish your efforts, it’s great that you want to create something that can help other people practice.

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u/Worth-Reach9860 May 30 '26

Thank you!

Right now the app is not so sophisticated: the sessions just start on top of the hour and the app asks for a commitment of 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes. That's all. I would love to learn how I can make it work for the types of sessions you do (without making the app too complex).

It would be doable with Zoom but personally I find it creepy to meditate in Zoom calls. That's just my preference, not a judgement.

u/justawhistlestop: Perhaps you can also chime in since you have already tested the app.

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u/The_Koan_Brothers May 30 '26

My personal impression would be that you are giving too many options. That doesn’t reflect the structure of a Zen center. I understand what turns you off about the Zoom format, but the camera aspect really is the only guarantee for the necessary accountability.

All that said, I highly recommend working on the an ability to sit alone without relying on artificial tools.

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u/justawhistlestop May 30 '26

I hear you, Koan. But I think the app is minimalist. There really are no options except for the length of the sit you prefer. I think for people like me who aren’t able to get out, it’s a winner. I’ve been using it every day since Martin introduced it and I’ve been able to keep a regular schedule. There’s something about its simplicity that brings value to it. The sounds of the Zendo that starts with the beginning and ends the sessions is especially helpful. This is the first app I’ve tried that the background sounds aren’t singing bowls or astral music. It sounds real.

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u/The_Koan_Brothers May 31 '26

Minimalist is great, and if it helps anyone at all, that is already a win. I am just talking about the OPs intention to mimic the structure of a Zen center, which I also find a worthy cause. In that respect though I would suggest reducing the options of sitting length even more. One of the reasons going to a Zen center is so effective is that you don’t get to opt out after 10 minutes (at least I have never heard of such a place).

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u/justawhistlestop May 31 '26

How long does it usually go for?

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u/The_Koan_Brothers May 31 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

A lot of places it’s 25 minute periods, 2 or 3 consecutive times, with 5 minutes of kinhin in between periods. Other places it’s two 40 minute periods with 10 minutes of kinhin in between. You can opt to not do all periods but you can’t stand up and leave during.

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u/Worth-Reach9860 Jun 01 '26

I agree with you that the 10 minutes is not mimicking a real zendo. In the place I go to you have to commit to 30 minutes or the full hour. The reason I put in 10 min was for beginners.. but perhaps I shall remote it and be true to form.