Thought I’ve mentioned this one time and again. In fact, I used it as base for other meditation techniques I developed on my own. But here it is, in it’s full glory and simplicity and some more insights on practice. Though a bit of confession before we proceed, Zazen is too astonishing and deep a practice to be explained in words – only experience can best describe it.
What is Zazen?
In brief: The practice of meditation in Zen. Usually it’s called ‘doing nothing’. It unites the body, mind and soul and you experience oneness with yourself and all that is.
What are it’s benefits?
This is the worst questions which aspiring mediators ask, trying to look for ‘benefits’ everywhere. But yet it’s got to be answered – the best of best benefit that you’ll experience is ‘satisfaction’ or ‘contentment’ and ‘knowingness’.
Rest of best is far beyond notions of ‘benefits’. I’d rather call them ‘life transformation’ or ‘miracles’.
Who can practice? When? Where?
Same answer for all meditations: doesn’t matter.
How to Practice Zazen:
- The Mindset: I know it’s hard, so make no effort to leave worries and tension behind. Meditation’ll let it out.
- The Posture: You can sit in ‘lotus pose’ or ‘half lotus pose’ or simply on a chair. Keep your back straight.
- Eyes: Open or close – doesn’t matter. If you have hard time of letting go of thoughts with open eyes then close them. Though, traditionally – eyes half open.
- Now inhale and let your belly swell out as you do so count ‘1’.
- Exhale and let your belly go in as you do so count ‘2’.
- Keep on going like this till 10 and start again at one.
- Your focus should be blurred on breathe. Don’t try and focus to hard – just be easy about it.
- When you find yourself tangling with a thought just acknowledge it and let go of it.
- Continue meditating as long as you want to.
Zazen is Goal (The Story)
Many might ask ‘where are we headed in all this? Where is it leading to? What’s the goal?’. Especially the people who were educated from outside ask these questions and there is nothing bad about it. In fact, being curious is good.
The answer is – the practice is the goal. What you are doing is all we are headed for. It is called ‘art of doing nothing’ for some reason. Experience is and you will get your answers.
Here is a small story for you to explain what I am trying to say:
Once a monk was practicing Zazen and his master came to him. Seeing him practicing since hours he went up to him and asked him, “My great disciple, what are you trying to achieve with such great practice of Zazen?’
Delighted disciple answered, ‘I shall attain enlightenment, master.’
Hearing this, the master took a large black stone and started rubbing it.
Seeing this the disciple asked, ‘What are you doing, master?’
Master said, ‘I will turn this stone into a mirror – I am polishing it.’
Disciple said, ‘O great master, no matter how much or how long you polish it – it can’t turn into a mirror.’
Master replied, ‘If you can attain enlightenment through Zazen, then why can’t I make a stone into a mirror.’
Meaning
I know, it’s one of those Zen Stories that doesn’t make sense at first reading. So here is the meaning for you:
Zazen is not way to make stone into mirror i,e. It is not a way to attain enlightenment – it is enlightenment.
If you practice Zazen for 30 min, you are a Buddha for 30 min.
It is all you need. Zazen is your true state of being – fulfilled, rewarded, joyous, appreciative and at centre of existence. That’s you!
Experience the delight of such wonderful knowing, just go for it. Now is the best time… what better time is there to be all that you wanted to be? What better time there would be to be a Buddha then now? Come joint the oneness.
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Great read…..I like your description of Zazen.
Recently I've been practicing a modified version of Zazen without being aware of it. Just 'stumbled' upon it (or did I??
I've been breathing by allowing the belly to move in and out, following the movement there instead of my lungs.
As you wisely stated Sid, there is no goal, other than doing nothing. Which is the goal of goals in today's society.
Gee thanks man.
I know, same here. Zazen is easiest – isn't it?
I am glad you like what I write Ryan, it's in perception – so good to have a friend with such positive perception!
Gee thanks man.
I know, same here. Zazen is easiest – isn't it?
I am glad you like what I write Ryan, it's in perception – so good to have a friend with such positive perception!
Sid, The master is right! Here is an interesting article: http://www.dharma.org/ij/archives/2002a/zazen.htm
I am dead sure he is! Reading the article now. THanks so much for sharing.
Hmmm… That's interesting. The understanding of Zazen as explained in article makes so much sense but that doesn't justify why Zazen is not meditation. The definition of meditation that the article assumes is one that of common man in East would understand. 'No thought' is just the beginning. Ultimate state of meditation is one that of 'being' and that matches 'Zazen' so so so much. Both are beyond 'Dualism'
I guess these are more like personal interpretations and nothing more. I will rely in experiencing it rather than defining it in words, that's the path I follow on this blog that is why there is not much philosophical talk here.
Zazen, in my understanding, is being Buddha. And indeed that's the end. There is no going and no coming. And that is meditation too – being yourself – yourself as in full essence of yourself which Buddhadharma describes as Buddhahood. I see no difference expect personal perspective of individual. One needs to overcome personal perspective to see true nature of Buddhahood for what we assume to be our perspective is not so much ours.
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