Yoga and Meditation

Though it is one of many, Zen Buddhism is likely the best known branch of Buddhism, at least in the West. It’s a simple practice which concentrates on meditation as the way to attain enlightenment. Other Zen Buddhism practices do exist, however.

Rinzai and Soto are the two largest sects of Zen Buddhism in Japan, and Soto is the most common one outside the country. Their focus is, not surprisingly, on the practice of meditation. Actually, the word itself, Zen, arises from the word in Sanskrit for meditation. Zen Buddhists believe that enlightenment is only attained by focusing your mind inwardly and that meditation is the perfect tool for doing this.

In the Soto school of meditation, you face the wall and just sit, being aware of thoughts coming and then letting them go. In Rinzai, you face towards the center of the room and concentrate on your breathing.

Zazen, as Zen Buddhist meditation techniques are called, can be anything you do, if you really focus your entire attention on it. Everything you do throughout the day, if you’re doing only that one activity with your entire attention, becomes zazen. However you also have to spend a period of time each day in meditation itself. Even if it’s only for five minutes, the important thing is to establish regular practice.

For a practicing monk, significantly more time will be passed in meditation. Many minutes of meditating, perhaps forty or fifty, will be broken up by walking meditation. This gives the legs a chance to get relief. Sesshins are frequently offered for lay students which may be from one to seven days in length, occasionally more. The students will meditate for hours each day, in addition to attending talks and doing some silent work to assist.

Even if chanting is not as important a part of Zen practice as some other kinds of Buddhism, it is still part of the day to day practice at a good number of temples. Sutras included are normally the Heart and the Lotus Sutras, among others. Temples will have altars with Buddhas on them. Altars at home are frequently utilized specifically to honor ancestors.

Meditation on Koans is largely used by the Rinzai branch of Zen. These are phrases or anecdotes that the practitioner needs to meditate on to find the hidden meaning. Lacking a higher level of understanding, it is impossible to know the meaning of the Koan.

The aim of all Zen Buddhism practices, as with all other branches, is to attain enlightenment or Satori. The view is that, when one gets to this juncture, one no longer has to be reborn into the suffering of this planet. Sometimes, utilizing a variety of techniques can be helpful in that goal.

With the unprecedented levels of stress that are part of normal life these days, learning to meditate should be made compulsory! Learn more about the many health benefits of the ancient practice of meditation by visiting Meditation Techniques: Relax Your Mind, Reduce Your Stress.