Zen - this word is typically associated with meditation, but in practice the term is much broader - in fact, Zen is a kind of religious trend. In general, Zen revolves around attaining full awareness of the mind - but how can this be done? Find out what the Zen assumptions are and also see what Zen meditation is about.

Contents:

  1. Zen: assumptions of this trend
  2. Zen: how to practice?
  3. Zen: what should meditation look like?
  4. Zen: Meditation Effects

Zenis a form of Buddhism that originated in China. Over time, it spread to other countries -zencan also be found in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Zen is the most popular in those parts of the world, it is interested in this specific trend, however, and many people from completely different countries, including Poland. Zen is difficult to classify unambiguously because it is essentially somewhere between religion and philosophy.

There is also no single, universal definition of what Zen is at all - some treat it as a way of life, while others say that Zen is about achieving full control over your own thinking. The classifications and definitions can be radically different, fortunately what Zen focuses on is much clearer.

Yoga has a positive effect on the body and mind

Breathing Techniques To Overcome Stress

How to get a lucid dream?

Zen: assumptions of this trend

Zen is about achieving a complete understanding of the world around you. However, according to this trend, such can be achieved only when we look at life much more broadly. Zen involves rejecting the various prejudices that accompany us every day and which not only affect how we perceive reality, but also simply limit us.

Zen emphasizes the importance of focusing on the here and now - it does not assume the possibility of dwelling on the past or broadly analyzing various versions of the future, but focuses on the present and enjoying the events that are happening right now.

So if you want to live according to Zen assumptions, when you eat, you should only eat (and not think about what happened at work or about some otherduties), and when he goes for a walk in the forest, he should then pay attention to the leaves flying past his face, instead of writing messages on the mobile phone.

Zen also rejects the creation of boundaries between itself and the outside world - another assumption of the current is to become aware of oneness with the entire universe and all its elements.

Zen: how to practice?

Meditation is undoubtedly the most associated with Zen. It should be emphasized, however, that and yes - meditation is one of the basic ways of practicing Zen - although it is certainly not the only one.

Related to the current is the term of the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of a set of basic principles of Zen. Among them are:

  • correct view (including the desire to free all beings - both animals and humans - from suffering);
  • right thinking (e.g. excluding bad will from your life);
  • right word (in other words, right speech, e.g. not using lies in dealing with other people);
  • righteous deeds (including not taking life from anyone or anything);
  • rightful earning (i.e. obtaining income from work that does not cause harm or suffering to any beings);
  • righteous pursuit (taking actions that lead to enlightenment);
  • right focus (carefully carrying out any commitments and actions you have undertaken);
  • right meditation.

Some people live according to all the principles of Zen, others are interested only in meditation alone. The second position is often criticized by the followers of "full" Zen, because in their opinion it leads to a significant impoverishment of this trend.

Zen: what should meditation look like?

Zen meditation seems simple in theory, but in practice, achieving the desired state of aggregation is not easy at all.

This current element is called zazen, which directly means sitting Zen meditation. You can meditate in various positions - the most popular seems to be the lotus flower position, but people also enter this state of full concentration, sitting cross-legged, sitting on their heels or sitting on a chair.

The hands should be placed on top of each other. It is important to keep your posture straight while meditating. After assuming the appropriate body position, it becomes possible to go to meditation.

Breathing is important - take your breaths slowly and focus on counting them. This action is expected forthe task of bringing to a state of concentration - the meditator is to think about nothing else but only breathing.

Another element of zazen - usually much more difficult to control - is the state where you let your thoughts flow freely. It should be emphasized here that, during meditation, however, you cannot think about what you need to do tomorrow at work or about shopping for children - thoughts are about what is happening here and now (e.g. they can be thoughts about the fact that the meditator his leg becomes numb or he feels hot because he is being warmed by the sun's rays).

Zen meditation itself may take a different amount of time. Beginners are recommended several-minute sessions of meditation, however, people who often practice Zen meditate much longer, even for 10 hours. It is understandable that it is difficult to stay that long in one position - for this reason, meditators sometimes take some breaks during which they practice kinhin, or meditation while walking.

Zen: Meditation Effects

Meditation is commonly believed to be a way to relax. Indeed, after a meditation session, a person may feel much calmer and relaxed, but the goal of practicing Zen is much more serious.

Well, meditation in this case is supposed to result in cleansing the mind and gaining full control over it, as well as leading to human enlightenment. However, the question remains: is it worth meditating, even if you are a follower of a faith completely different from Buddhism?

Here the opinions are divided: a lot of people think that meditation is simply a waste of time. On the other hand, there is evidence that meditation can have an extremely beneficial effect on both the body and the mind - during it, for example, heart rate and blood pressure drop (which can be beneficial for people with hypertension).

Often practiced for a long time, meditation may in turn increase the level of concentration, but also improve the functioning of the immune system or lead to an improvement in mood. However, one thing needs to be emphasized here: meditation can be generally safe and beneficial, but only in he althy people.

For example, in patients with certain mental disorders and diseases, meditation is strongly discouraged - such a situation occurs in people with schizophrenia (in whom it is possible that the chaos they feel may increase through meditation) or in patients with obsessive disorders. compulsive (who may obsessively pursue enlightenment and, when they fail, even have a nervous breakdown).

About the authorBow.Tomasz NęckiA graduate of medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. In working with patients, he focuses on always listening to them and spending as much time as they need.

Category:

Psychology