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Meditation

Practice realization is every moment Zen.   This means that as we sit in Zazen, walk in Kinhin, practice work meditation, play meditation, etc., we are in each moment, practicing Zen and we are in a state of enlightenment.   We are encouraged to practice this wonderful mindful concentration at all times.

Zazen.  Zazen is seated meditation.   We practice this by sitting on a cushion on the floor.   We sit with our legs crossed in Burmese, half lotus, or full lotus position. We can also sit on a seiza bench or chair.   (If sitting with a chair, make sure your back does not rest against the chair's back.) Our back is upright, our head pointed to the ceiling.   Eyes are cast at a 45 degree angle and are unfocused and half-closed.   Our tongue is placed at the roof of our mouth and our teeth are together. Our hands are placed in the cosmic mudra. Right hand on left foot, left hand cradled in right hand.   Thumbs touch lightly as if to form an egg.

We focus our attention on our breath as it moves in and out of our body.   We do not try to control it, we simply watch it.   Breathing in, breathing out, count one.   Breathing in, breathing out, count two.   When we get to ten we begin again.    If we are distracted or lose count, simply begin at one.

We think, non-thinking.   That is, we let our thoughts rise and fall without attention.   If a thought or feeling should come to your attention, just watch it and let it go, as if you were seeing a leaf in a stream pass by.

Kinhin.  Kinhin is walking meditation.  It should be done with the same state of mind as Zazen.   We stand upright with our left hand in a closed fist and our right hand covering it.   Our elbows are at right and left angles from our bodies.   We step off with our right foot and press our foot slowly and deeply into the floor.   We watch each step as it rises and falls.   Nothing more.