| Zen is growing in popularity in the West and the | | | | In zazen, the walking interval may only be |
| same holds true for meditation, but what is the | | | | 15-minutes long followed by 45 minutes of sitting |
| heart of zen? That's a tricky question, isn't it? | | | | meditation. In other Buddhist traditions there is |
| I think most of us agree that it can't be Zen And | | | | generally a 50/50 split between sitting and walking |
| The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance or zen | | | | meditation. |
| influenced interior design, no matter how inspiring | | | | One could say that zen has an emphasis on sitting |
| it may be. There must be more to it. | | | | meditation which results in more concentration. |
| Zen took root in Japan well over a thousand | | | | So far, we haven't touched on what I consider |
| years ago and whatever you find in department | | | | the power of zen meditation. The above points |
| stores today are merely expressions of zen | | | | out certain differences between zen and other |
| culture. Anyone who has lived and meditated in | | | | Buddhist traditions, but let's move on to the heart |
| zen monasteries have a different idea of what | | | | of the matter. |
| zen is and isn't. | | | | Zen Group Practice |
| Let's take a look from inside... | | | | There is a definite emphasis on group practice in |
| Meditating In Zen Temples | | | | zen that you don't find in other Buddhist traditions. |
| Zen temples maintain a rather high level of | | | | Both sitting and walking meditation are done in a |
| discipline during meditation practice. The | | | | group. |
| meditators sit in straight lines and face the walls | | | | By practicing sitting and walking meditation in a |
| while doing their best to keep their backs | | | | group, strong mental energy and concentration |
| perfectly upright and the chins slightly tucked in. | | | | build up. That takes the practice to a higher level |
| The body posture plays a central role in zen | | | | and also makes it easier to meditate. |
| meditation, because an erect spine allows mental | | | | In zen temples the meditators also sit close |
| energy to flow more naturally than one that isn't | | | | together in order to keep the energy |
| straight. And meditation does generate a lot of | | | | concentrated, which I've never seen in other |
| mental energy which in turn makes it easier to | | | | Buddhist traditions. |
| mediate. | | | | The beauty of meditating with others, especially |
| In other Buddhist traditions such as in Sri Lanka or | | | | experienced meditators, is that their presence |
| Tibet there is less of an emphasis on sitting in | | | | boost your practice! So, don't only meditate alone |
| straight lines and cultivating the perfect meditation | | | | at home, but take advantage of the benefits of |
| posture. | | | | group practice. |
| Anyhow, whenever a meditator in a zen temple | | | | Zen Walking Meditation |
| takes on a sloppy posture she will get smacked | | | | Walking meditation in zen is a group practice that |
| with a wooden stick on the left and right | | | | is done inside the temple. All the meditators walk |
| shoulders. To an outsider it may look like | | | | with their backs upright in a clockwise circle, which |
| downright punishment while meditators view it as | | | | means you have to adjust your pace to the |
| a form of encouragement. | | | | meditators in front and behind you. That comes |
| Zazen | | | | naturally with practice, though. |
| In zen, meditation is called zazen which is | | | | Again, walking meditation in a group is done to |
| practiced in two separate modes, namely are | | | | build up as much mental energy a possible, which |
| sitting and walking. | | | | in turn fuels concentration. |
| That is not unique to zazen, though. It's been | | | | In other Buddhist traditions walking meditation is |
| known for thousands of years that sitting | | | | not a group practice and is usually practiced |
| meditation boosts concentration while walking | | | | outdoors, ideally in nature. |
| meditation generates a lot of mental energy. | | | | If you're new to walking meditation, I suggest |
| By alternating between the two, the meditator | | | | that you give it a try. The combination of sitting |
| can maintain a sound balance between the level of | | | | and walking meditation is superior to sitting |
| mental energy and concentration, which makes it | | | | meditation alone. Your meditation practice would |
| easier to meditate. One could say that mental | | | | benefit greatly, by combining the two. |
| energy fuels concentration. | | | | In conclusion, I would say that zen meditation has |
| So, whenever you feel that your meditation is not | | | | a strong emphasis on group practice. That's why I |
| flowing or you find it hard to concentrate, change | | | | like zen, aside from the clear-cut simplicity of zen |
| from sitting to walking meditation. In addition, | | | | culture. |
| alternating between the two modes eases any | | | | Good luck! |
| physical aches and pains. | | | | |