After teaching an early yoga class today, it was followed by my very first experience of zen meditation. It was led by Bahay Dalangin which is a group of dedicated zen practitioners.
Practicing mindful meditation is very much alike to my experience of yogic meditation during my teacher training. The only difference between the two are the rituals. With breath as the main focus, the seated postures are just the same as well. We sit in silence and in stillness (on comfortable cushions with pillows on the floor), either in half lotus, full lotus or in a cross legged position where in the heels are in line with each other. The spine is erect but relaxed. With eyes half open, we gaze on any point on the floor, and yet, still be aware of our surroundings. In yogic meditation, practicing stillness is a little more strict. As much as possible, we try not to move. If numbness starts creeping in our legs or any part of the body, it is suppose to be ignored. In zen, when this happens, we are allowed to change position. All you need to do is bow down (as a sign of respect to the person beside you) and switch. After 3 sets of sitting still and in silence for 15 minutes, the ritual included a meditative walk as well. We did ours for 5 minutes.
The end goal of zen or yogic meditation is all the same. It is to think of nothing, and instead more "doing." By going back to our breath, it helps us to stay in the "now," with no thoughts of the past or future, but only the present. In this modern and hectic world, this is almost impossible to do. So instead of fighting or indulging stray thoughts, it is instead acknowledged and then set aside by focusing back on the breath. In yoga, it is said that breath is the carrier of prana which means life force. In meditation, it is also our breath that helps us reconnect with our "inner selves" and helps us realize our true nature-- in my case, maybe my christian nature that is in me. I know this sounds like its a little hard to understand. But think of it this way, it is through the beauty of stillness and silence that we are able to hear and discover what is within. Practicing this discipline is proven to be a very big help in calming our minds and bodies in this chaotic world.
As of now, I will take the latter as the reason why I will start my practice of zen meditation. But in a parallel universe, I would meditate more faithfully, to not only achieve a calmer mind and body but to unhinder my mind of its many layers and experience insight into the nature of our existence-- ideally, which is to attain enlightenment. :)
Photo credit: rheasrhapsody.co.uk
Hi, Trace:) Thanks for this post. Reading it entrenched in me the value of silence and the beauty of stillness in our lives, especially in these days and times. I used to practice it in my younger days and even implemented a 5-minute silent period in class when i was teaching in the IS. As challenging as it was to restless 12 year-olds, it was effective in keeping them focused right after. And this morning I read about its benefits in the book "The Power of Positive Choices," and then here in your blog. So timely! I think silence and meditation are what I need to incorporate in my daily activities again. Please keep them coming, Trace, I love all your posts!
ReplyDeleteAww! Thank you so much Jinx! You're awesome! I'm really glad that in my own small way I am inspiring a little bit of that positive energy into you and maybe to some others. Keep doing what you do. You surely are on the right track in keeping yourself spiritually and mentally healthy. Maybe we could even trade our positive stories of "enlightenment" to each other. Post it on your blog and let me know the site. I will definitely follow. :) Love you lots and miss you gid! sending you tightest hugs! muah!
ReplyDeleteP.S The book your reading, who's the author? I would love to read up on that too. :)