Can someone explain zazen a little more?

Question

All I know is that its a form of zen meditation. Anybody know more??

Answer 1

Zazen (坐禅) is at the heart of Zen Buddhist practice.
The aim of zazen is just sitting, opening the hand of thought. This is done either through koans, Rinzai's primary method, or whole-hearted sitting (shikantaza), the Soto sect's method. Once the mind is able to not be hindered by its many layers, one will then be able to realize one's true Buddha nature.
In Zen Buddhism, zazen (Japanese: literally "seated meditation") is a meditative discipline practitioners perform to calm the body and the mind and experience insight into the nature of existence and thereby gain enlightenment (satori).

The posture of zazen is seated, with folded legs and hands, and an erect but settled spine. The legs are folded in one of the standard sitting styles. The hands are folded together into a simple mudra over the belly. In many practices, one breathes from the hara (the center of gravity in the belly) and the eyelids are half-lowered, the eyes being neither fully open nor shut so that the practitioner is not distracted by outside objects but at the same time is kept awake.

Answer 2

In Karate-Do, meditation exercises are practiced before and after each lesson.

The most common is mokuso, in which the person remains silent, sitting in hiraza, trying to calm his mind (without obligation to close his eyes). Its goal is to prepare the practitioner mentally to train or to assimilate what he has learned.

Some teachers may include zazen (literally "seated meditation"), which is a method of meditation practiced in Zen Buddhism. It is not a proper practice of Karate, because this martial art is not associated with Buddhism or any religion. Its practice is optional and is usually adopted by karatekas followers of this religion.

One should remain seated on with its back straight (a bank or pad may be used) for a period of up to 40 minutes. Zazen can be practiced in the dojo but also at home. Its aim is to "sit" with an open mind, without clinging to the thoughts which flow freely. Feelings and sensations must be observed without judging or suppressing them, in order to seek release the mind and attain enlightenment (satori).

There are five basic sitting positions:

• Full Lotus: the right foot rests on the left thigh and the left foot rests on the right thigh.
• Half-Lotus: the left foot rests on the right thigh, while the right leg is folded under the left leg.
• Burmese position: both legs are folded, resting on the square mat (zabuton). One variation places the left foot upon the right calf.
• Seiza: the knees are shoulder-width apart while buttocks are supported either by the heels, a zafu (sitting cushion) or other cushion, or a low sitting bench.
• Chair: One sit upright. The feet is kept shoulder-width apart on the floor while the hips are higher than the knees.

The head should rest squarely over the spine and not tilt or lean in any direction while the shoulders are relaxed. The left hand is placed palm up on the palm of the right hand. The hands should rest in the lap.

The focus should be on the hara (three finger widths below the navel) and breathing by inspiring and expiring silently through the nose, leaving the mouth closed and the tongue against the palate. The gaze should be set at about one meter from the ground with the eyes fixed on a distant point.

The difference between these two methods is sometimes unclear. Mokuso usually occurs during the initial greeting ceremony.


http://www.martialartsdo.org/articles/philosophy/zazen.php