Zen is one of the most renowned schools of Buddhism and can be defined as a method that seeks to strengthen the relationship between mind and body, where the biggest goal is the self. The objective of Zen is to gain control of yourself, to discover your hidden kindness, showing light to all the virtues that inhabit all human beings, and to put this in contact with the forces most intimate within yourself. All the goals that were mentioned can be obtained through Zazen, which invites us to focus the spirit on certain objectives in the same way we perform meditation.
Zazen is a Japanese expression meaning “sitting meditation” and, according to Zen Buddhism, it is how Buddha would have meditated at the time of enlightenment as seen in the meditative statues of Buddha.
- Sit in a comfortable position.
- Cross your legs into the Lotus position or half-lotus, with your knees towards the ground. You can also practice sitting with your knees on your heels.
- Keep your back straight from your pelvis to your neck.
- The pelvis is slightly ahead and arched towards the lumbar.
- Stretch you neck and tuck your chin inwards.
- Relax your shoulders and join you hands in your lap in the Mudrai of wisdom. Have your fingers together, one hand over the other, and with the thumbs touching the tops. In the school of Zen, you have your left hand over the right hand.
- Focus your gaze at a 45� angle toward the front, with your eyes semi-closed but with your sight relaxed and without focusing on what is in front of you.
- Close your mouth, join your teeth together, and softly touch the palate behind the teeth with your tongue.
- Begin to control the rhythm of your breathing, counting the inhalations and exhalations, with the goal of promoting concentration.
- Concentrate on your breathing only with the �eyes of the mind�, until you become familiar with your breathing. This allows us to clearly perceive the mind and body.
The ultimate purpose of meditation is not to keep pace with the breath of our mind in a state of absolute stillness. Zazen, on the contrary, is not still. It involves devotion to controlling the mind with the intention of using it with zeal and energy. By achieving this goal, the person is transformed to a new Self and the mind develops all of its creative power. Everyone can reach this form of enlightenment but it requires perseverance.
When our emotions are flooded with happiness without knowing why or when we remember a moment of happiness that we have had and, in return, smile, these moments are scientifically explained by the release of endorphins, a hormone that is related to the emotions of happiness and well-being. During these moments when we are sporadically happy, we receive elevated suggestions from out mental state. These signals can also be achieved through meditation. Feelings of happiness, joy and physical well-being will remain in us and are like treasures that no one can take away.