| Counting the breath is probably the most | | | | on the floor. |
| encouraged meditation for beginners. It is highly | | | | 3. Take a deep breath, exhale fully, and take |
| recomended for beginners because it is a great | | | | another deep breath, exhaling fully. |
| practice to begin aquainting oneself with both | | | | 4. With proper physical posture, your breathing will |
| sitting still and with breaking free from discursive | | | | flow naturally into your lower abdomen. Breathe |
| though. That being said, this practice should not be | | | | naturally, without judgement or trying to breathe |
| thought of as being pedestrian because if it is | | | | a certain way. |
| truly followed, it is no different than even the | | | | 5. Keep your attention on your breath whilst |
| "advanced" practices. | | | | practicing this zen meditation. When your attention |
| | | | wanders, bring it back to the breath again and |
| 1. Zen meditation allows the mind to relax, please | | | | again — as many times as necessary! Remain |
| follow theses easy instructions. Sit on the forward | | | | as still as possible, following your breath and |
| third of a chair or a cushion on the floor. | | | | returning to it whenever thoughts arise. |
| 2. Arrange your legs in a position you can maintain | | | | 6. Be fully, vitally present with yourself. Simply do |
| comfortably. In the half-lotus position, place your | | | | your very best. At the end of your sitting period, |
| right leg on your left thigh. In the full lotus | | | | gently swing your body from right to left in |
| position, put your feet on opposite thighs. You | | | | increasing arcs. Stretch out your legs, and be sure |
| may also sit simply with your legs tucked in close | | | | they have feeling before standing. |
| to your body, but be sure that your weight is | | | | 7. Practice easy Zen meditation every day for at |
| distributed on three points: both of your knees on | | | | least ten to fifteen minutes (or longer) and you |
| the ground and your buttocks on the round | | | | will discover for yourself the treasure house of |
| cushion. On a chair, keep your knees apart about | | | | the timeless life of zazen — your very life |
| the width of your shoulders, feet firmly planted | | | | itself. |