Zen Meditation Technique – Practice & Hidded Secret – Free Guided Meditation
The Practice of Zen Meditation – Zazen
The first meditation we will explore in the Free Online Guided Meditation Techniques E-Book is the famous Zen Meditation Technique, also called Zazen or Breath Meditation. At the end of the meditation script I will reveal the real secret behind this most profound meditation technique.
Free Zazen Meditation Video
(From Online Meditation Video Series for Daily Meditation Practice)
Background of Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen):
This was the meditation technique of Lord Buddha – I should have to say no more in order to motivate you to try this meditation. It is one of the most widely used meditations in the world and is the heart of Zen Buddhist teachings. If one was to make a short list of the best meditation techniques, Zazen would most certainly make the top 10 list.
Tools required for Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen):
- Zafu (traditional Zen Buddhist meditation cushion), Smile Cushion or other firm meditation cushion. I purchased mine from zafu.net. I also purchased a zabuton (meditation mat) from them, a zabuton though is optional.
- Loose comfortable clothing.
- An alarm clock, stop watch or other time device.
Benefits of Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen):
Primary Benefits:
- Builds Concentration and Focus.
- Self Knowledge – both, the workings of little self (ego) and awareness of the Big Self (True Divine Nature).
- Calmness
- Compassion
- Spontaneous Joy
Secondary Benefits:
- Improves health and wellbeing.
- Increases willpower and builds character.
- Bestows psychic powers.
Cautions for Practicing Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen):
There are very few cautions with regard to Zazen practice, but the one I would like to point out has to do with emotional storms.
There can be periods of time, either during a single sitting or spanning across several weeks, when emotions you may have suppressed rise up to the surface and force you to deal with them. During these turbulent times, don’t exacerbate the issue by chewing on the emotion laden thoughts that come up. Traumatizing yourself in this way has no value. Instead, sit with the emotions and related thoughts without resistance, then let them go and return your awareness to your breath.
This emotional cleansing is due to the visibility of the subconscious mind once the conscious mind is quieted by the meditation. In the short term, this can be a difficult time to go though, but in the long term its a necessary and healthy cleansing that will promote greater peace, depth, joy and clarity in your life.
Basic Zen Meditation Technique:
- Find a quiet place and sit in a comfortable cross legged position. If using a zafu or similar meditation cushion, sit on the forward third of the cushion. The objective is for your hips to be raised above your knees and to form a three point base with your knees and buttocks touching the floor/cushion (leave a comment below if want to use a chair or meditation bench and would like me to explain those details).
- Set your alarm or other time device for 20 minutes.
- Now elongate your spine upwards and to align it with the back of your head, subtly bring your chin back and in like a soldier at attention. There will be a slight inward arch in your lower back.
- Now rock gently from side to side in big arcs, making them smaller and smaller till you drift to a stop. You should find yourself perpendicular to the floor with no tension or pull from either side.
- Have your eyes half open with an unfocused gaze on the floor in front of you. You should be looking down at a 45 degree angle about 2 to 3 feet in front of you. You may also close your eyes if you prefer.
- Bring your hands to your lap and place them in the cosmic mudra. To do this rest your right hand on your lap, then rest your left hand on top of it and have your fingers overlap. Now bring the thumb tips together thus forming an oval frame.
- Close your mouth, swallow your saliva creating a slight vacuum and place your tongue against the roof of your mouth. After this point there should be absolutely no more movement of the body. No fidgeting, scratching, shifting – nothing – be like you are frozen in time.
- Take 5 deep, slow breaths though the nose. This will oxygenate your blood and relax you.
- Now bring you attention to your breath without trying to manipulate it further in any way, just become aware of its flow. Spend a few minutes just observing it intimately till it starts to become regular and relaxed.
- At this point begin counting your breath. Count an inhalation as one, then the exhalation as 2 and continue to count your breaths until you reach 10. At which point return to 1 with the next inhalation. If at any point you get caught in a mental story line and loose your count, gently, without passing any judgment, return to 1 and start over. That’s it, continue for the duration of the meditation.
Intermediate Zen Meditation Technique:
Follow all the steps for the Basic Zen Meditation Technique, except for the last step a complete inhalation and exhalation cycle should be counted as 1. So you will do 10 full cycles of inhalation and exhalation before returning to 1. You can also increase the time to 30 – 40 minutes.
Advanced Zen Meditation Technique:
Follow all the steps for the Basic Zen Meditation Technique, except for the last step instead of counting the breaths, just “be the breath”. Don’t try to jump to this step too soon, first build your concentration and focus. You can also increase the time to 1 hour.
Hints and Tips for Zazen:
- Do some stretching or Yoga before sitting in zazen. It will help your body adjust better.
- Be regular, the benefits of this meditation are vast, but they take time to manifest.
- Some good internet resources and books on zen meditation and zen teachings are listed below…
- Charlotte Joko Beck’s Ordinary Mind Zen School and her book Everyday Zen: Love & Work
- Zen Mountain Monastery – Mountain and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism
- Shunryu Suzuki’s San Francisco Zen Center and his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
Secret of Zazen:
The secret of zazen does not lie in the awareness of the inhalation or the exhalation. It lies in the gap in between these breaths. It lies when the breath is spontaneously suspended. It is in this gap where the mysteries of the Universe are hidden. This gap and the gap between 2 thoughts are best friends, and in this silence between 2 thoughts the absolute is revealed. Don’t try to force this pause, just continue with your zazen, it will come about naturally.
More Internet Resources for Zen Meditation
anmol, im a believer in gems having beneficial properties(i know silly)
will zazen meditation help me feel the vibrations of gems?
Hey Anthony,
No Zazen is not the same as RM. Although the goal might be the same if put the way you have stated it. All meditation looks to throw you back on to your Real self.
Best,
Anmol
anmol, is zazen meditation the same as restorative mediation (RM Mediation) RM
meditation works to match you to your original blueprint
Hey Anthony,
Many Zen practitioners have been known to develop psychic abilities later in their practice. These abilities are often due to the Third Eye opening, so although it is not a direct meditation to target the Third Eye, it could lead to the awakening of this center.
Best,
Anmol
anmol, will zazen meditation also open my third eye?
Hi Alex,
It’s ok to have these thoughts running around, especially if they don’t draw you in. Just see them and let them go the best you can.
In more advanced levels of meditation, the mind will start to still itself in order to allow more energy to be devoted to pure observation. For now, just follow the “see a thought, let it go” technique.
Best,
Anmol
Hi Ilian,
Sorry for the late response, this comment seems to have slipped though unnoticed.
I do not suggest using music during silent meditation, especially if you are looking to advance to deeper levels. Watching the mind in advanced meditation will require tremendous energy and concentration and the music will be a distraction.
Use the music to initially relax, settle the mind down and set the stage, but try to see if you can do without it once you start you session in earnest.
Ambient random sounds tend not to be a problem once you really zone in.
Best,
Anmol
Hey anmol, i’ve been having some problems with concentration lately, and in my head there are little thoughts that are wandering around…i’m not really “into” them but they’re there, and they seem to get in the way quite a bit. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Alex.
Hello Anmol,
I am just starting to go into the vast world of meditation and I’m only using Internet material I can get my hands on. One of the videos I watched on you tube about meditation stated that I could have music turned on very low while I do meditation. Can I use this on the Zen technique ? I’m using so called meditation music, which is very still and relaxing. I’m using it because there is no way I could find a quiet spot at my house and I need something to isolate from all of the unwanted sounds. Would that be applicable with the Zazen?
Regards,
Ilian
Hi Sree,
Thanks for the positive feedback. Yes you can meditate lying down as well. This is how I started and even today my nightly meditation is done on lying down.
Others will notice changes in you before you do. See the following article to find where to look for changes…
Top 10 Profound Benefits of Meditation.
Best,
Anmol
Hi Monika,
It is the meditation aspect of Buddhism as taught by the Buddha.
Best,
Anmol
Hi Meditation,
Here is an article and story that deals with your question about which is better, Kundalini Yoga or Zen Meditation. Enjoy :-D!
Powerful Kundalini Yoga Battles Profound Zen Meditation
Cheers,
Anmol
Hi Bijendra,
Yes you are welcome to practice these techniques without a teacher. If you do find a good teacher though you are blessed, if not turn to the inner Guru for guidance and help.
Best,
Anmol
What exactly is ZEN? Is it a name of some one or technique?
I had learnt about zen and kundalini meditations. Which is most effective?
Can these meditation techniques be practice without a teacher, on your own.
Greetings Zuf Ham,
Nirvana = Almighty = Oneness = Love = Truth = Non-Duality
I have actually discussed this in the following article….
Understanding Non-duality, Hinduism, Buddhism
Buddha, and others, have chosen to stick to the negation of the false and left that which is True and beyond the mind alone. As it will manifest in the absence of the false. Presenting the positive, into the mechanism of desire, they noticed, simply feeds it further.
Thanks for your kind words and glad to have your presence here.
Best,
Anmol
nice work, these are very charming,thanks for that. but i have some questions….
1. zazen is buddhist meditation, they dont believe in god, am i right? dont you believe in almighty or paramessyor? if you do then how do you combine the theories?
2. zazen says about the 1st part of meditation that is stillness of mind but does not say about the 2nd part-connection with almighty, which almost all other meditations say. then how can zazen be the best meditation to a believer?
3. what is our ultimate goal? nirvana or the almighty?
i really dont think you are a right person for these contradicting religious questions, but still i ask just because i like your work.
thanks….eagerly waiting for your answers.
Hey Anmol,
Great site, fantastic article. One question….can we meditate this way while lying down as well?
Also, how do we notice progress?
Thanks,
Sree
Hi Stevie,
Yes it is ok to start, but don’t overdo it if you still feel emotionally vulnerable. Start slow and also do yoga, exercise and pranayama to help clear and strengthen the system. In addition, use the power of positive thinking to help yourself get out of any negativity if it’s affecting you currently. Remember the mind plays a huge role with regard to our moods and emotions.
Increase the meditation as you feel yourself getting stronger.
Best,
Anmol