What is Zen?
~ Master Taisen Deshimaru"When the mind does not dwell on any one thing, true mind appears"
Zen is not a philosophy or religion, but rather a practice and attitude to life. The word Zen comes originally from the Sanskrit 'Dhyana', which can be translated as concentration, observation, meditation.
Central to Zen is the practice of zazen - simply sitting, not grasping at the thoughts and emotions that arise within us, just allowing them to pass by. Through this, naturally, unconsciously and automatically, we become aware that many of our everyday preoccupations are not so important, and that clinging tightly to them brings suffering to us and to others.
We become more aware of something - the inner source, big mind, holy spirit, buddha-nature, the cosmic order - something unnameable and indefinable, but which can be a quiet and calm source of inspiration and support in our lives.
What is Zazen?
~ Master Dogen Zenji"Eyes horizontal, Nose vertical. Essence of Buddhism"
To practise zazen, sit cross-legged on a zafu - a firm round cushion stuffed with kapok. The pelvis is tilted very slightly forwards. Knees connect firmly with the earth, and the spine naturally extends upwards, lifting the crown of the head towards the sky. The chin is tucked gently in, stretching the back of the neck. The shoulders relax naturally back and down. The abdomen relaxes. The left hand is placed palm upward upon the palm of the right hand, middle fingers aligned. The tips of the thumbs touch very gently, forming an oval: the cosmic mudra. The little fingers touch the abdomen. Eyes are at 45 degrees downwards, neither open nor closed, focussed on nothing. Awareness rests on body and breathing. Breathing is slow, powerful and natural.
Letting go to a long exhale, fully relaxing the abdomen, and receiving the inhale naturally when it comes.
Sitting with no purpose or desire for gain, allowing thoughts and emotions which arise to float past like clouds in the sky. Some days, the clouds are small. Other days, they are mighty storms. But by practising in this way, we can experience that however they may be each day, they are simply fleeting appearances within vast emptiness.