It was about 2004 and I decided to try some serious meditation. I wanted something that related in some way to martial arts and Reiki. I chose Zen meditation as it is Japanese and further back in time Chinese in origin. Zen meditation is known as Zazen. Zazen is the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
I searched the internet but had no luck finding a Zen meditation class in Banbury but I did find a class at St Giles’ in Oxford. The address was at the Quakers meeting house.
Below is an excerpt from their website:
“A sustained meditation practice – zazen – focuses the mind. It leads to achieve concentration, clarity of mind and decisiveness in action. Sitting practice is complemented by dynamical meditation…….”
There was between 10 and 15 people there, new people turned up early to be given some instruction. There were lots of large cushions similar to slightly flattened medicine balls, these were for sitting on and are known as a Zafu. The zafu allows you to sit more comfortably with crossed legs. There were several people wearing traditional Japanese dress similar to the outfit worn by Aikido martial art practitioners.
My visit
The first half hour we sat with our legs crossed and eyes partially open facing a blank wall. Then there was five minutes of slow walking. We then sat again with the legs crossed in the opposite way for a further half hour. That was it, all done.
There was an air of complete calmness. Apart from the senior members wearing traditional clothing everyone else wore normal clothes. No one could have judged anyone as no one said anything or did anything other than sit facing a blank wall. No need to look at others, looking at their techniques or analysing their character and aura. You felt as though you couldn’t tell how long anyone there had been practicing zazen and nobody would know how long you had been practicing. I found this concept very calming and can completely understand why people participate. The main issue, which shouldn’t be an issue, is to how to empty your mind but the theory is you shouldn’t have to try.
I have found Zafu’s online. The below link is a selection of meditation equipment from The Healthy Living Store
Many people may think “Why waste my time sitting and doing nothing when I could be getting on with doing work or family stuff or sitting in the pub?”
I guess this is a question only you can answer. The good thing about going to an organised meditation class is that you become disciplined in attending and you’re removed from daily chores, work and family for a short period of time. You could practice from home but the distractions may be too great. Everyone is different.
The below image is a link to the class I attended
Click on the below images for some easy to understand information on Zen meditation
Such a nice calm relaxing blog