My own
mission is to bring to an end the idea of zen as a rare, exotic import from
the East.
I'd love to see a generation of people grow up who feel that zen is so much
a part of their lives that they find it hard to conceive of the idea that it
has ever had anything foreign about it at all.
(Robert Allen)
Zen Questions
Robert Allen's excellent book Zen Questions is an excellent introduction
to zen.
If you read it in conjunction with The Little Zen Companion by David Schiller,
the two books complement one another perfectly.
Sitting
'Zazen' is a Japanese term that refers to the process of sitting quietly
and increasing your awareness.
Traditionally it has been practiced in a crossed-legged position,
but there is no reason at all why you cannot simply sit on a normal dining chair
instead.
The chair is better for your circulation, and will be far more comfortable if
you are unaccustomed to the lotus position.
Your hands can rest palm up on your thighs, or in your lap.
What do you do?
Why, you do nothing at all. You just sit.
Do not close your eyes, sing, hum or fidget. Just sit.
Do not watch TV or read anything. Sit.
Your body will offer you a whole array of distractions, itches and irritations.
Accept this and sit.
If you are restless and agitated, if your thoughts are racing, this is all good.
It serves to demonstrate your need for sitting.
Aware
Be aware of your thoughts. Do not pay undue attention to them, but be
conscious that they are there.
Be aware of your body sensations. Any tension. The feel of your feet on the
ground. Your buttocks on the chair.
Be aware of your breathing. But do not do anything special with it. Allow it to
happen. Imagine the breath travelling deeper and deeper into your body.
Be aware of the sounds around you. But avoid listening or analysing. Let the
sounds come to you. Be passive.
Be aware of your centre. Allow your body to sink internally.
Be aware of the moment. Be present. But do not fall asleep.
Unlearn
Sitting/zazen is akin to qigong.
You are not fixed or held in place. You are simply relaxing, softening,
letting-go.
Zen is concerned with releasing accumulated knowledge, opinions, preconceptions,
ideas.
Let them all pass and fade.
Centre yourself in the here and now.
Page created 19 September 2007