What is Zen

In Zen practice, we meditate to bring calm and attentive focus to whatever is happening around us and within us. Too often, we allow ourselves to be pulled away from the moment into thinking about the past or future. We allow our judgment to be clouded by our preconceptions. Through Zen practice, we gradually develop the ability to concentrate on what is actually happening, and see the world with clear eyes.

Through Zen practice, we come to the realization that the distinction between “me” and “others” is a bit more blurry than what we may have realized. Through Zen practice, we learn that the labels, names, and emotions that we attach to ourselves, our experiences, and the experiences of others can often distract us from really understanding what is going on. Zen is about learning to take a step back and actually look at something as if for the first time, as if you don’t know the first thing about it. Often, only by setting our ideas aside, can we truly make the best decisions and do the most good for ourselves and others.

Seated meditation practice is a fundamental activity to our practice. We sit quietly, attentively, and with great commitment, and then gently but effortfully bring our attention to our breath. We turn away from stray thoughts and minor physical discomfort and calmly bring our attention back to our breath. We sit with whatever thoughts or worries might arise in us, allowing ourselves to acknowledge their presence, and always return to our breath. In this way, the committed practitioner can achieve a state of calm and alert relaxation and develop a powerful insight – many of our problems arise and persist in our mind, but we can learn to live with, understand, and ultimately train our own mind.

Meditation is both a spiritual practice and a scientifically verified therapeutic technique that forms an important component of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a technique developed for the treatment of chronic pain, terminal illness, and other serious health issues. This program was developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Numerous studies have indicated that participants in this program go on to use less medication, have increased activity levels, have increased feelings of self-esteem, and have decreased levels of emotional reactivity. Meditation can bring powerful relief to the distressed and help one develop a strong foundation for a life well-lived.

Getting started with meditation is easy. You may sit on the floor or in a chair, in any position that is comfortable, so that your spine and head are erect. Place your hands palms up in your lap, one on top of the other. Look at a spot on the floor about three or four feet in front of you, relaxing your eyes so that they are half-closed. Focus your awareness on your breath, letting your body breathe normally, without trying to control your breathing in any way. Pay careful attention to an in-breath; then pay careful attention to and feel the next out-breath. Follow the next in-breath, then the next out-breath, and so on. Strive not to think about each half-breath, but rather to feel and be with the entire process of each breath. Immediately, as soon as you notice that your mind is concerned with anything other than your normal breathing, drop the thought—without any judgment or criticism of yourself—and bring your awareness back to your breath.

The Gateless Gate Zen Center practices in the tradition of the Kwan Um School of Zen. The Kwan Um School of Zen was founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn, a Korean Zen Master of the Jogye Order. The Korean Jogye Order descended Chinese Zen, and Chinese Zen came about from the addition of Taoist influences to Buddhist teachings originating in India.

Getting started with meditation is easy, but it is helpful if you have someone show you the ropes. Also, you might find that it is difficult to keep up a regular meditation routine on your own. Group practice in a quiet setting is a good way to learn and be disciplined about meditation practice. We hold regular practice sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. Beginners are encouraged to email Abbot KC Walpole at abbot@gatelessgate.org and attend on Mondays at 6:00pm for an introduction to Zen practice.