Going alone to meet the teacher

Dokusan is a brief opportunity for connection and dialogue between a Zen student and teacher.  The word "dokusan" is Japanese for "going alone to see the teacher."  There can be quite a bit of formality in the tradition -- the student enters the room, bows, takes a seat, and the meeting begins.  I once heard a story about Soen Nakagawa Roshi leaving a pumpkin on his dokusan seat, and then hiding behind a screen to watch his surprised students enter, bow and react.  Here is a version of this venerable tradition, taken at our recent sesshin.