What does Zen meditation involve?

Question

Is it one form of meditation best suited for the home?

Answer 1

Put simply, Zen is unique method of body-mind training that, if practiced with sincerity and devotion, leads to self-realization, or Awakening. The heart of Zen Buddhism is zazen (sitting meditation), the most direct way to see into the illusory nature of the ego, belief in which is the cause of our suffering. Zen does not rely on a particular Sutra or doctrine, but rather places emphasis on experiencing for oneself the source of the Buddha’s teachings – Awakening. With Awakening the Sutras come to life and the teachings are understood in the body as well as the mind, and may be manifested in one’s life moment-to-moment.

Zazen is at once a method employed to realize our True Self, and at every moment the natural unfolding of this True Self. Zazen is both something one “does” and something one “is.”

Zazen literally means “sitting meditation” in Japanese, and it is the core of Zen practice, but it is essential that the one-pointed stabilized mind of awareness that one develops in zazen is extended into all one’s daily activities.

The student begins by learning to sit still in a stable and comfortable upright posture, preferably on cushions on the floor, but in a chair if necessary. The initial practices involve awareness of breathing (a practice common to many schools of Buddhism). At a later stage a first koan may be taken up, if both student and teacher feel that the student is ready. Koans, paradoxical questions that cannot be answered by the discursive intellect, are unique to Zen, and are so powerful that it is not advisable to tackle them without the guidance of a teacher. Shikantaza, or “just sitting” is also practiced, but is generally reserved for seasoned students. Shikantaza is, in a sense, not a practice as such, but the fruit of practice.

***First, it is always necessary to become familiar with the language of Buddhism, remembering that the goal of Zen is enlightenment, not just Zazen, in which case there is much to learn.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Christian meditation is just about the opposite. Christian meditation is an engagement of thought - not an emptying out of thought.

http://www.mechanicsburgnewchurch.org/40401.html

Answer 4

Nothing


Once you understand this, you can start doing Zen correctly.

Answer 5

It means being where you are at that moment...not the future, not the past. Here I am...oops there i was.

Answer 6

Yes it is. Do it you'll be much more relaxed. I can't do group mediatations so...

Answer 7

Lots of PEZ