Zazen

Zen meditation in contrast to Dhyana

  • Lots to say here, nearly everything is different and eye opening
  • Literally from the eye opening - in typically taught 'Hindu' meditation, eyes closed is the norm. Not the case with Zazen! Eyes must be only half-closed! You need to be aware of your environment - take in the sight, but reduce the stimulus.
  • Posture - erect spine, full lotus, on the floor VS curved spine, belly forward, full lotus only if possible, on a zabuton on top of a zafu
  • Focus: draw to the breath first, walking meditation
  • Mudra: cosmic vs gyan
  • Nearly everything about the methodology of meditation is different. Crazy how I have ignored the Zen traditional all this time and haven't realized how different it is.
  • Zazen - emphasis on incrementalism on every level from day 1 to mastery.
  • Focus point: right in front of you through half-open eyes VS third eye
  • Commonalities: group meditation as a power source