Why do we sit facing the wall?

[Gerlinde]

In Zen, we usually sit in meditation facing the wall. Why do we do this? Why don't we face the sangha instead of turning our backs to the Buddha statue on the altar?

Can someone explain?

Thank you.

[Kimball Amram]

Hi Gerlinde. As far as I know ,the reason we sit facing the wall during long retreats is to look in to oneself. During shorter retreats and regular morning and evening sitting, we sit facing in to support each other.

[Gerlinde]

Hi, thank your for your reply.

so there is a difference here, even within the KUSZ, 'cos in Germany, we sit facing the wall during regular (daily) practice. We sit facing each other only on YMJJ. Kyol Che I participated in Brno a few years ago, we sat facing the wall.

I thought there is a clear guidelines at least within the Kwan Um School... but obviously there isn't....