The beauty of Zen meditation
In Spirituality we learn a concept and we talk about applying it in real life; but most of the time we are short from that "dream."
For example let us take a look at a spiritual law such as "karma." We could be very knowledgeable on what karma is. We could give many talks about it, but when "real" life comes, at that point we forget everything. We cannot "apply" the theory into the practical.
When it is about life itself, doubts may even come: Did I act in a way as to create "good" karma or not?
Then at that point, we need reassurance from someone. The authority, the senior, the priest; someone who will give us reassurance about the "goodness" of our actions. We don't know what karma is when it is applied to our own life.
The bottom line is that theoretical know-how is just another nice concept to talk about. Something to debate about on a Saturday afternoon while drinking tea or coffee… or just water
Wouldn't it be nice to have our own laboratory where we could experiment with our own selves in relationship with life, by looking at it, by feeling the feelings that are going on at one moment in time with total awareness? Wouldn't it be nice to know by sensing it, by feeling something rather than just thinking?
We are part of life. In Spirituality the whole is equal to the part; any part; thus within myself lays the totality of life, the universe, all what is.
In Zen meditation, the task is only to sit. Put your "effort" on sitting. That is all… but then let everything else happen as your breath is; automatically effortlessly as it is meant to be. No need to control anything.
Just "sitting" is a very complex matter when our mind is cluttered with thoughts. Then, we are not just sitting; but we are "doing" other things even though sitting.
If we have experienced "just sitting," then we can observe everything else. We can feel everything: Breathing, tiredness, nervousness, anxiety, impatience, fears…. They start coming out.
If we don't move at all during those 25 minutes that we are sitting in a particular posture, (traditionally half-lotus or full lotus, but a chair is alright) we could feel elation coming from the "inner smile" of feeling the inner self; but at the same time; we could feel physical pain: knees, groin, muscle cramps, etc.
What do you do?
Nothing.
Accept it.
Observe how the mind reacts and how our calm state changes. Observe how when there is deep acceptance, things become easier to deal with.
That attitude is useful in "real life," out of the laboratory. No need to remember the law of "karma" when we understand "not doing."
But, what about if we break something or hurt ourselves by sitting there?
The lesson of learning our own limits is important. Many times in "real life," we break down and exceed our own capabilities. Know your limits. A "don't move" means, "go ahead, move" in some occasions. This is the wisdom of living life and not of some theory to be applied by everyone at all circumstances.
In this "inner laboratory" many things could happen. It is one of the best tools that has found to become acquainted with himself… while "just sitting."
Note that there are no beliefs here. Nothing to think about or visualize. It is as "real" as sitting. We can look at the wall for additional "reassurance" that we are indeed "just sitting."
In this practice, we can connect with "nothing" and be everything. We can learn from "no one" and learn a lot.
We could experience life while doing nothing, that is we could go back to sheer activity without moving an inch.
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