Dôgen Zenji taught: “ From the start of zazen we must discard any physical and mental relaxation or distraction”. And yet, in zazen one may experience two pernicious states for our physical and mental health which are totally opposed to the awakening state of a Buddha. On the one hand, we may feel a physical and mental welfare state characterized by a great unconscious activity, a lack of muscle tone, very close to a dream. This state is called konchin in Zen. It is a dullness state, of lack of enlightment. Awareness and mind dull. The body loses tone, the head falls down, the thumbs collapse and the hands lie motionless. The breathing becomes totally unconscious and returns to its natural rhythm.
This state must be avoided. The best way is to concentrate on the right body posture: stretch out the spinal column, strengthen the muscle tone and specially do not allow your eyes to close.
On the other hand, one may get distracted , absent-minded. This state is called sanran in Zen. It is characterized by a tense muscle tone and a very exciting mental activity. Many thoughts, many feelings, memories, desires arise within zazen. This is the typical attitude of those who think in zazen. As far as the body is concerned, the chin points up, the thumbs are stiff and tighten. To avoid this state we must concentrate on a long and gentle exhalation. We must focus on the palm of our left hand and, in general, return to the right body posture: with your chin down and keeping your thumbs in a horizontal position. When our body is balanced, our mind can be balanced too. Dôgen Zenji taught: “The Zazen I speak of is not learning how to meditate. It is nothing other than the Dharma to Peace and Happiness, the Practice-Realization of Perfect Awakening. Zazen is the expression of Ultimate Reality. The traps and snares of the intellect can never reach it. Once you have seized its heart, you will be like a tiger when he enters the jungle, like a dragon when he gains the ocean”.
This state must be avoided. The best way is to concentrate on the right body posture: stretch out the spinal column, strengthen the muscle tone and specially do not allow your eyes to close.
On the other hand, one may get distracted , absent-minded. This state is called sanran in Zen. It is characterized by a tense muscle tone and a very exciting mental activity. Many thoughts, many feelings, memories, desires arise within zazen. This is the typical attitude of those who think in zazen. As far as the body is concerned, the chin points up, the thumbs are stiff and tighten. To avoid this state we must concentrate on a long and gentle exhalation. We must focus on the palm of our left hand and, in general, return to the right body posture: with your chin down and keeping your thumbs in a horizontal position. When our body is balanced, our mind can be balanced too. Dôgen Zenji taught: “The Zazen I speak of is not learning how to meditate. It is nothing other than the Dharma to Peace and Happiness, the Practice-Realization of Perfect Awakening. Zazen is the expression of Ultimate Reality. The traps and snares of the intellect can never reach it. Once you have seized its heart, you will be like a tiger when he enters the jungle, like a dragon when he gains the ocean”.
Last modified: Sunday, 15 February 2009, 09:52 PM