Zen, and a Meditation

Here are some key aspects of Zen, which originated in China as a blending of Taoism and Buddhism when Buddhism was introduced there. These bullet points seem essential to me, however there may be some deviation between differing schools. Also I’ve included a simple meditation to get you started. Enjoy.

• Zen is elusive

• Zen is the essence of stillness

• Stillness is the practice of Zen

• The true self has no identity but Zen

• The true self has no home in corruption

• Have no attachment to material things

• Have no attachment to conceptual identities (the non-self or false self)

• Have no attachment to attainments of any kind

• Take refuge in enlightenment, truth and purity

• Buddha Nature is enlightenment, truth and purity

• All beings have Buddha Nature. 

• When you realize your Buddha Nature, you have Right View

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• All beings suffer

• We suffer because we desire the unattainable and impermanent

• We can be liberated

• The Noble Eightfold Path leads to liberation

• The Noble Path is: Right View, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

I am still pretty new at Zen but I’ve found these ideas helpful. Mindfulness is a good place to start at finding that Zen stillness. I began by practicing mindfulness for several years before I decided to call myself a Buddhist, I call myself a God-fearing Buddhist because Zen mindfulness is truly the only technique I found that I could actually make a serious attempt at slowing down.  It’s the racing mind, the ego distractions that always seemed to separate me from my peace. It still does, but I’m much more capable of slowing back down when I need to. It’s not that you’re supposed to sit in a lotus position on a mountaintop, meditating for the rest of your life; it’s that you learn to slow down often enough to keep yourself sane and in good peaceful order. 

There are some books by a renowned Zen monk Thich Nat Hahn that i suggest you check into, if you’re into Buddhism or if you’ve heard of mindfulness in general. Meditation is a growing event in the west if you haven't given it much thought before.  It will be especially helpful for those that deal with mental health chaos, like anxiety or delusional thoughts. I have experienced these and personally. Coupled with proper medical care, Zen mindfulness is an effective tool to slow down those mental routines we get into so often.  I hope you’re not too averse to Buddhism, but If you prefer a Christian perspective, there's a monk named Richard Rohr who speaks from that perspective. Both of these authors have many videos you can find on YouTube and books galore. Another teacher I like is Eckhart Tolle who is an author and podcaster. He has been very helpful in showing me my ego attachments. He teaches from a more secular perspective, but quotes Jesus and The Buddha regularly.

I hope this is helpful to you or to the SPMI people you know. I would like to suggest a stillness practice here that you might like. First, it helps if you have a place in your space to meditate, so prepare something if you like. I have a singing bowl, an incense burner and a little candle that help me get connected. You can call it a shrine if you like. It’ll help you have that little peaceful space to remember your intention to be still.

I call this my Loving Kindness Meditation: light your candle (Of course, you don’t need these props. I believe the universe appreciates your intentions either way), burn some incense you like, ring a bell…

• Sit…

• Breathe… "I breathe in, I breathe out."

• Return to your body… "I am at home in my body"

• Breathe…  "I breathe in, I breathe out."

• Be still…

• Stay in your body… "I am at home in my body"

• Breathe…  "I breathe in, I breathe out."

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Maintain a gentle focus on your breath, gentle like someone caring for the sick.

Being in your body helps you stay rooted and connected. Remaining still is the practice of Zen, silence, or mindfulness, etc. it is the essence of many of the forms of meditation from the world’s traditions.

Continue this practice for 20 minutes at least once a day. Soon you may know this Zen peace that I write about. It's not going to be right away for most people, but I find that sincere practice, especially of those who are particularly burdened, can have results sooner rather than later. Mindfulness and loving kindness are great on their own, so if you’re not a saint right away, please enjoy a calmer mindset and a separation from some of the anxieties of busy life. This is a path. You’re not gonna be at the end right away. In fact, there is no end...

Peace, brothers and sisters.