Zen meditation or Zazen: a technique inspired by a long tradition for the well-being of the soul
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Zen meditation (zazen): the origins of this practice, what it consists of and everything you need to know before practicing
Zen meditation also known as zazen is a meditation technique that has roots in the ancient East and belongs to the oriental disciplines of knowledge and relaxation. Its purpose is to lead to total relaxation of the body and mind, a condition of privacy and well-being. that puts each individual in contact with what is their true nature. Read this article to know not only the origins of Zen meditation but also the benefits it can bring to your life and then start your practice right away, you don't need right away a course and a master, begin to gradually approach this millennial practice!
Zen meditation is traced back to Buddha Shakyamuni, who reached theLighting around the sixth century a. C. in India. The word Zen comes from dazazen, which indicates the typical posture of the Buddha.
This story is brought to China by a monk, Bodhidharma, who also taught this meditative doctrine there. In Chinese it was called Ch'an (Zen in Japanese pronunciation).
Zen meditation as we know it today was born in Japan with the master Dogen who re-elaborates the concept of Zen from scratch, central to the culture of every Japanese, and capable of conditioning habits, customs and social behaviors. Zen meditation relies on correct breathing and deep concentration. The goal to be achieved is a greater awareness of oneself and once achieved the benefits will be evident: less anxiety, stress and negative thoughts!
It is also called "Sitting meditation" because its purpose is to sit down and get to know the innermost part of ourselves. A dialogue with our self that clarifies the sensations and makes our desires, intuitions and projects clearer and more evident.
Practicing Zen meditation is simple, you can do it anywhere! A few minutes a day of constant practice are enough to relax mind and body, remove negative thoughts and regain a clear and ready mind. Zen meditation also makes us more empathetic towards those around us and above all gives awareness and true freedom of action. Among the oriental meditations, Zen is perhaps the most loved and sought after meditation practice: many scientific studies have already shown that meditation has real beneficial effects also on the brain because meditating stimulates the production of neurons. If you are passionate about this type of meditation, you will soon realize that you are looking at the world with different eyes, you will find the way to live your daily life more serenely. This Zen meditation is truly awesome!
What Zen meditation (zazen) consists of and where it is best to start to practice it
Sit in peace with yourself, let the thoughts go out of your body and mind. Eliminate prejudices, worries and fears and prepare to get in touch with the truest and deepest part of you, with your true Being. To practice Zen meditation, no special skills are required, nor relieving physical effort. everyone can meditate zen and get rid of stress and anxiety! The goal you must achieve with sitting meditation is not to empty yourself of all thoughts, the intent is mainly introspective, you will be able to achieve benefits and results when you learn to know yourself again by freeing yourself from falsehoods and patterns imposed by society. These are all superstructures that you don't really need, which only lead to unhappiness, insecurity and stress in your life. Meditating allows you to lighten yourself: after each session you will feel simpler, more resolved ... lighter! The merit is of the "true and profound being that you managed to reach within your conscience: no longer slaves to the ways of being imposed by society and the judgments of others. The advantage of Zen meditation sessions is that they are like small breaks from Real oases of energy for your mind and body! Through daily practice you will reach an inner balance that today seems difficult to understand: during meditation you abandon the heaviness of life and free yourself of a weight that does not it really belongs to your being. Keep reading this article, you will discover how Zen meditation can free you from anxiety and stress!
Zen meditation (zazen): advice for those who want to start meditating immediately in the silence of their home
A good piece of advice we can give you is to start meditating right away, alone, in the serenity of your home. If you are passionate about Zen meditation then, look for a course and a good teacher to improve your technique and reach new goals. To start meditating zen you just have to follow these simple rules: choose a quiet home area, preferably free from noise and distractions. Avoid any external stimulus, a window on the city center, but also a TV or telephone. Create an intimate and pleasant atmosphere, to do so you can use a lighted candle, incense, a salt lamp and maybe some Zen music. What you can't do without a meditation cushion, the classic zafu. Wear loose and comfortable clothes, strictly made only in natural fabrics.
At this point, take your position. Sitting on the floor (with the pillow) go straight into the yoga lotus position: back straight, legs crossed with heels on the ankles and hands resting on the knees. Make sure your palms are facing up. The position is one of the essential characteristics of Zen meditation and helps you find balance and harmony. If you find the lotus position difficult you can put yourself in the Burmese position, or you can choose to meditate on your knees on a stool. They are ways to start, but then the sitting position will prove essential! The best way to start is to feel comfortable so that you can focus. For Zen meditation, school pupils always say that it is necessary "To be seated and stable like a mountain". Do not let yourself be distracted during meditation: when you choose to meditate isolated from the world and from everyday life and carve out a moment just for yourself.
Never underestimate the importance that those who meditate Zen give to posture. Stability in meditating is a metaphor for calm in the face of turmoil and adversity. If the weather is nice, meditate outdoors, on the beach or in the garden on a green lawn. Contact with nature is precious to help you find the right concentration.
How to approach Zen meditation (zazen): duration, lotus position, breath and the last tips to get started
Now that you have found a right and comfortable position, that of the lotus or a good alternative for the first few times, close your eyes: it's time to start practicing. Like any type of meditation, the starting point is always the breath: focus on your breath, inhale and exhale deeply but slowly, it is your breath that guides your concentration. The Zen philosophy gives great importance to breathing: good breathing allows you to live well and for a long time, keeping diseases away.
A trick to breathe correctly and concentrate is this: when you inhale and exhale, always count to ten. Do you get distracted? It starts again and goes up to ten. Your goal is to just count to ten several times without interruption. When you do it easily and then when you are no longer distracted at the first thought you are ready to practice Zen meditation!
At this point instead of counting, pay attention to the sensations of breathing and the flow of thoughts, observe them as they flow inside and out of you, observe them but do not let them involve you.
Through Zen meditation you can get away from the burdens of life and overcome moments of confusion or doubts. You may be wondering at this point how much time you need to dedicate each day to Zen meditation: even a few minutes a day are enough to improve your lifestyle. However, the most experienced masters recommend constancy: it takes about a couple of months of daily meditation to reach the first benefits and the best results.
