Zen practice does allow for meaningful meditation without a formal teacher, but such a path is inherently limited. Basic sitting meditation—zazen—can be learned from reliable books, recorded talks, and other traditional resources, and this can foster calm, stability, and some insight into the flow of thoughts and emotions. A practitioner can establish a regular sitting routine, cultivate concentration, and begin to integrate mindfulness into daily life. In this sense, self-directed practice can be both sincere and beneficial, especially at the foundational level.

However, the traditional Zen understanding places great weight on the relationship between teacher and student, regarding it as central to the maturation of practice. Subtle aspects of posture, attitude, and method tend to drift over time, and a qualified teacher can notice and correct what the practitioner cannot see alone. Without such guidance, there is a real risk of mistaking temporary calm or unusual experiences for deep realization, or of turning practice into a merely conceptual or self-confirming exercise. Intensive meditation can also stir up difficult psychological material, and an experienced guide can help with pacing and grounding so that the path remains workable rather than overwhelming.

Certain dimensions of Zen training are especially difficult to pursue in isolation. Traditional kōan work, for example, relies on a living dialogue in which understanding is tested and refined; without that, it easily becomes an intellectual game or a private fantasy. Likewise, the classical notion of transmission and authentication presupposes a relational context in which realization is mirrored and confirmed. From this standpoint, a completely solitary path is generally regarded as incomplete, even if it yields some measure of clarity and peace.

A practical way forward for many is a kind of middle path: beginning with self-directed zazen, supported by trustworthy teachings, and then seeking contact with a teacher and community as circumstances allow. Occasional retreats, interviews, or consultations—whether in person or through other traditional means of contact—can help align personal experience with the broader Zen heritage. In this way, solitary effort and communal guidance are not opposed but complementary, allowing the practitioner to benefit from independent discipline while also entering the relational field in which Zen has historically understood its deepest realization to unfold.