An Explanation of Zen Buddhism

Zen, or Zen Buddhism, comes from the teachings of Siddhartha Guatama, who lived around 500 B.C. In 475 it traveled from India to China where it mixed with Taoism and became the Ch'an School of Buddhism. Around seven hundred years later it spread to Japan where it was called Zen Buddhism.

The concept of Zen Buddhism is to allow the mind to let go of preconceptions and any other false way of thinking. People of many faiths practice Zen to free the mind and see life simply. There is no system of beliefs or rules to follow. Zen is simply a method of allowing the mind to settle and experiencing life in the present moment.

Zen offers several ways to practice. Sitting and walking meditation are most common but Zen allows those who have difficulties to invent their own way. Whichever way it is practiced Zen offers help to everyone searching for understanding and clarity. It is about having time for yourself in whatever way you choose.

A very important idea in Zen is that one must practice. In the beginning, one may not be able to sit for long periods or may be frustrated with the wanderings of the mind but through practice one can eventually reach the ultimate goal of seeing inside one's own nature. It is extremely important to practice having time for oneself every day to work on this.

The mindfulness practitioners of Zen hope to achieve simply involves paying attention to how one feels. It involves noticing what the mind is thinking, how the body feels, and what is going on around oneself. There is no need to focus on anything or try to focus the mind. When maintaining the proper posture and breathing the mind will settles itself. During this awareness thoughts will come and go and the idea of mindfulness is to let them pass with no attachment to them.

Sitting meditation is one practice that remains very important to Zen Buddhism. The article on Zen Meditation in Addiction and Recovery stated that all other aspects of Zen come from the practice of sitting meditation. The practice of Zen mindfulness and sitting meditation is called zazen. It is recommended to practice zazen everyday at a set time and place but there are several methods of sitting meditation.

Sitting meditation requires attention and concentration. One must keep the back straight and can either sit upright in a chair, sit in the "lotus" position or sit on one's feet in the "seiza" position. Sitting cross-legged provides the most support but any position is acceptable as long as the posture is strictly kept. During sitting meditation the hands are placed in a certain position called mudra. When starting Zen practice these positions feel difficult, they can be held for only a short time. These formal positions of sitting are used because when the time spent doing so is quality time it inspires confidence and gives discipline and power to meditation.

After several natural breaths in position one is ready to begin the practices of zazen a combination of sitting meditation and mindfulness. One practice is counting breaths on each exhalation. Another is experiencing the breaths, simply acknowledging them and focusing on the action. Some also meditate on koans, saying or stories of Buddhism. All of these methods work to separate one from the mind's wanderings and feelings.

Another Zen practice is walking meditation. Walking zazen is usually done after long periods of sitting zazen or during it to refresh the body and stop numbness or drowsiness. It is less intense than sitting meditation and keeps the body fresh and alert. The easiest way is to walk around the room at any pace focusing on breathing and footsteps. When thoughts, sights, and sounds enter the mind one lets them pass through and continue to focus on one's feet.

Naming is also a Zen practice that is useful in times of stress or pain. It can be done during sitting meditation or during one's daily life as part of their constant mindfulness. The object of naming is to separate oneself from the mind's feelings in order to deal with them. When a situation arises, simply name the thought as it appears such as "worrying mind" or "angry mind" or even "joyous mind." The word mind allows for a neutral judgment of the feeling and allows it to pass through.

Zen has proven helpful for many people. Recovering addicts use it as part of their therapy, Christians use it for meditation to find peace, and countless others use Zen Buddhism to search the nature of oneself. It encourages detachment from feelings and thinking to focus on ones inner nature. The very disciplined practices are not for everyone but those who continue using Zen Buddhism find peace, mindfulness, and enlightenment.