How Does a Novice Begin to Meditate?

That’s a very good question.  For me I just did it.  I had some idea from movies and TV but had never actually witnessed anyone meditating or asked anyone about it.  I never read books on how to meditate.  I would lie down on my bed, close my eyes and think about places I wanted to be and things I wanted to see.  At times, I would astral project: feel like my spirit left my body and I was my spirit.  My spirit would travel all over the world on these trips. 

Looking back, that wasn’t really meditation.  It was more like self-hypnosis.  Buddhists believe in a vastly different meditation.  You clear your mind.  Don’t seek anything and don’t try to see pretty pictures.  You bring your mind to where it was before you were born.  That is Zen.  No worries. 

The guy in the following post does a very good job of explaining, to the beginner or anyone, 10 simple steps to meditate in the Buddhist tradition:

http://stopandbreathe.com/2011/03/04/meditation-101-a-10-step-beginners-guide/

My next suggestion would be to go to a Zen Center.  They generally have meditation classes for beginners and then opportunities to chant (a form of meditation) and sit meditation with the members and others.  I am a member of the Providence Zen Center (PZC) in RI and also a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen.  The Kwan Um School has locations all over the US and in many other countries all over the world. The PZC has beginner meditation training classes on Wednesday nights at 6:30 and sometimes they have them on Sundays. They are free to the public.  Some on the internet call the Kwan Um School a cult.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Whatever individuals wrote that were obviously making assumptions and probably never bothered to visit one of the many Zen Centers. 

The people that live at, work at and visit these centers are the nicest, kindest and mellowest people.  They ask nothing of newcomers like I feel I still am.  I am working on becoming a Dharma Teacher and they are trying to slow me down.  No one is encouraging it and none of them probably remember that I even have that interest.  When I discussed doing the 5 Precepts (a step in becoming a teacher) with one of our Dharma Teachers, he said slow down.  Everything will happen when it is supposed to happen.  He also told me the only thing I should be concerned about is practicing my mediation and concentrating on what is in front of me. 

The last time I sat with Jose, he asked me, “What is missing right now?”  I said after some hesitation, “Nothing.  I am at the Zen Center, we are talking.  No past or future just what is happening right now.”  He agreed.  He also added, “When you try to rush to become more enlightened, it just doesn’t work.  If you seek enlightenment, you won’t find it.  Don’t make anything.  Clear your mind and it may find you,” then he wacked my mat with his stick.  A symbolic gesture as in the old days, a monk in training would have been hit with that stick.  I’m not saying I’m a monk in training.  In the old days they did not let lay persons into these temples.  A Korean Zen Master brought his Zen teachings to the US and understood that things needed to be loosened up a bit to reach a much wider audience.

Okay, where was I?  I also understand that going into a Buddhist Temple can be intimidating for a newcomer.  It was very intimidating for me.  I wanted to go to such a temple in Boston when I was around 23 years old.  I walked by it over and over again when I walked to and from my car when I worked in the Back Bay.  I never went in.  Another 25 years went by before I finally entered the Providence Zen Center.  This is where I have learned the most about Zen and about meditating.  It took me 48 years to get to a Zen Temple.  I’m not complaining.  Things happen when they are supposed to.

Peace and clear mind!  If you have questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section…

Meditation to Find Serenity - Clear Mind

I learned a mistake I was making prior to coming to the Providence Zen Center.  I have been meditating for over 11 years...maybe 12.  I believe meditation is for receiving answers from God.  Prior to the last few weeks, I would meditate and look for the answers.  If you're looking, you're mind is not clear.  So now, I understand the purpose of meditation is to keep the mind clear.  No thoughts.  Looking for answers = thinking.  Zen = no thinking. 

So, I have learned that meditating is to clear the mind of everything: no thoughts.  When the mind is completely clear, the answers will come (the receiver is on).  This happened to me this past Wednesday night. I meditated for a total of 2 hours.  I am sure I wasn't clear much of that time, but I was clear for some of it (and I will be more clear as I get better).

During that clarity, brought on by a clear mind, I was able to get an answer.  The answer was "get rid of the noise in your head...both literal and figurative."  Carrying around hate, fear, guilt, self-doubt, etc....this is all noise keeping us from being happy and serene, not allowing us to be compassonate and patient.

Now, you could easily ask "Well, what was the question?"  Essentially, the question was "How can I find true serenity?"  I didn't receive a text book on the subject from God. I got one piece of a puzzle that is unlikely to be finished when I die but, the more we get rid of noise and the closer we get to true serenity, the more happy we will be.  Nirvana shouldn't be the goal just like seeking answers isn't the goal.  Nirvana will come some day when it is time.  Answers will come when you are clear and when it is time.  We have to live in the now.  Now I have to go to the store so, go to the store.  Now, I am going to read so go read.  Now I am going to the gym, so go to the gym and workout.  Now I'm going to work, so go to work and work when you get there.  Now I'm going to meditate, okay, empty your mind. No thoughts or opinions.  Just do it.  If you're going to do anything, do it right and to the best of your ability.  That is Zen. 

Zen is also similar to the show Seinfeld.  It's about nothing!  When I say "nothing," I mean nothing in your mind = clear mind = when you will get your answers.  The more clear your mind, the more serenity you will find.

The more hours the mind is clear, the more serene you will be.  The more you will be able to help others will compassion and patience (and love).  Clear mind really forces one to live in the "now."  That was over-used at one point I think but it is true.  The time we spend having guilt, hate, anger etc. from the past fogs up our heads and is killing us. The time we spend dreading the future, fearing the future etc. makes us anxious and is killing us.  Keeping the mind clear keeps us in the now.  No baggage from the past and no concerns about what the future will bring = serenity.

Clear mind = serenity!

Eating With The Buddhists

Had a great night last night at the Zen Center.  Ate dinner with the group for the first time.  We had a humble meal of soup (which was delicious, spicy) and rice (sticky brown rice) and water to drink.  Was nice to sit with some of the members and chat.  It's hard to feel uncomfortable at this place when everyone is so nice and mellow.  After their bowls are empty, they put tea in them and drink it as a way to clean the bowl and get every bit of food.  Interesting practice.  I did it.  We prayed before the meal and after.  We sat on the floor just like the picture above.

I then sat and relaxed in the common area while waiting for the first meditation, a chant.  I read a bit from "Only Don't Know" while I was waiting.  It is a collection of letters to a Zen Master.  I read a letter from a gentleman that was in prison.  He sent it to the Zen Master.  He was studying Zen in prison and wanted to know how he could learn more.  The Zen Master had a great answer.  He said that prison is a great place to practice Zen because his body is incarcerated but his mind is not.  You don't need the body for Zen.  It's about the mind, clearing the mind, not thinking.  The prisoner also wanted suggestions on what to read.  The Zen Master said it wasn't necessarily good to read about Zen and not necessarily bad.  That is Zen.  No opinion.

Here's a kong-an for you:  You are tied to a tree and bound and holding on to a branch only with your teeth.  If you let go, you will hang yourself.  Your master comes along and asks you a question.  You must answer or you will be shot.  If you answer, you die because you end up hanging yourself.  If you don't answer, you will die because you will be shot.  How do you answer without dying?

I don't know the answer.  Not knowing, not having an opinion is Zen.  My gut tells me to answer the question and be the master of your own destiny.  Buddhists believe in reincarnation anyway so the belief is we are always here and eventually no longer need to come back as human (when one reaches Nirvana).  So, you answer and you don't really die.  There is no right answer and needing to be right is not Zen.  So...

Chant meditation started at 6:30 and went for an hour.  I'm getting better at my bows.  Not any better at chanting but only my second time.  The idea is to not think about anything but the chant and I for sure can only think about the chant as I don't know them well.  They are in Korean and we have a chant book that gives phonetic pronunciations.  There is one chant that is in English.

I then sat in on an hour of seated meditation.  25 minutes seated, 10 minutes walking meditation and then another 25 seated.  The walking in between helps get the circulation back in your legs and feet.  It was a good night.  The meditation ending with the young lady who led the seated meditation discussing the importance of God in our lives.  This made me feel more certain that I am hanging out at the right place.

I rode home in silence (no radio on in the car).  Makes no sense to deal with noise after all of that quiet time.  Speaking of noise: we have too much noise in our lives both literally and figuratively.  I have noticed recently that many days I come home from work with my ears ringing.  This is from the day's noise and the cranked radio on the ride home doesn't help.  Then there is all the crap in our heads which, to me, is also noise.  My goal is to get rid of a lot of that noise and find a more peaceful place in general (not ocassionally). 

Reduce the noise and get closer to God!

Buddhism and God

I had some concerns about where God fit in the Buddhist religion/philosophy.  I was pleased to learn recently that He is part of Buddhism.  He is the Higher Power.  "Don't worry - just try.  Trying is better than a Zen Master, better than Buddha, better than God."  - Zen Master Seung Sahn.

I don't believe anything or anyone can be better than God, human or otherwise.  I am, however, encouraged that this Zen Master understands the presence of God and puts God above the Buddha.

I am slowly trying to incorporate my new found knowledge and wisdom in my every day life. That is the idea.  Make it a way of life.  Every day, life is what we make it.  We can choose to make life the master of us or wise up and be the master of our lives.  I want to be the master of my life and do it with integrity, serenity, humility and compassion.

One day at a time.  I'll be going to meditation on Wednesday night.  Retreat in mid-March.  I'm pretty sure I am about to join the temple.  Lots of good benefits for short money.  It also makes me a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen. 

Cool!

Chanting Meditation and Dharma Talk

First off, for some reason, most times when I attempt to type the word "meditation" I end up typing the word "medication" instead.  I find this interesting as meditation is like medication for the soul.  I actually take a lot of medication and would like to rid my body and mind of that need.  Not sure if I will ever be rid of the need for the meds for physical issues.  But, reducing stress can make one healthier.  I read once that about half the people in hosptials on any given day have ailments that developed as a result of stress

Anyway, I also want to say that I am disappointed that I missed the one day retreat this past Sunday at the Zen Center in Cumberland, RI.  I was still battling pneumonia.  The next one is on March 18th and I will be there.

Last night I atended my first Chant meditation.  I arrived early and bought a long sleeved t-shirt and a book in the gift shop.  Yes there is a gift shop with some nice things.  I am addicted to t-shirts so of course I had to have one that says Providence Zen Center on it (I'll be wearing it tomorrow for dress down Friday).  The book is also a good one for a newbie like me to read.  The book is:

 "Only Don’t Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn."

I was about a half hour early so I meditated by myself in the dharma room (the meditation room).  I also wanted to find a more comfortable seated postion for myself as I have bad knees.  That lotus postion is just tough for me to do for any length of time and pain can take away from the meditation experience.  I tried a small stool that you sit on, kneel in front of and put your legs under the stool.  It was much more comfortable. 

The chanting meditation started at 6:30 and I was given a book with the chants.  Wow!  I had serious trouble keeping up and not losing my place.  I also have asthma so had to stop to catch my breath many times.  The idea with the chanting is that you can't think of anything but the chants (never mind they are in Korean and I have no idea what I was saying).  The idea of meditation is not thinking so it worked out pretty well as I had a hard enough time concentrating on the chants and keeping up with the group.  We did 2 half hour sessions. 

The second session also included a lot of bowing which taught me that I need to practice bowing.  I was all over the place.  We're talking bowing while standing then in a proper manner dropping to your knees and then bowing down to the ground.  Getting back up properly requires doing the exact same thing in reverse.  Again, lots of practice needed here.

At 7:30 we had a dharma talk.  This is more laid back.  The mats are put in a semi-circle and we just sat and had a chance to speak with the Zen Master (Jose) and a gentleman who is working to become one (he has been training for 8 years).  I had many questions but felt it was my time to listen not speak.  I want more time there before I get involved in these discussions.

It was a good night.  I was able to wash away some of the days' junk and the weeks' junk.  I plan to continue going on Wednesday nights.  I plan to go to that retreat on March 18th.  I may become a member of the temple but not sure if I have the time to devote as membership equals getting more involved.  Part of me also wants to do a 3 month retreat there.  I would meditate, etc. in the mornings (getting up at 5:00 each morning is required), go to work and then meditate etc. in the evening and on weekends and take part in work around the 40 acre property.  They have nice living quarters onsite for such purposes.  I would also have many chances to sit with the Zen Master and students at various levels. 

Right now I'm taking it all a step at a time.

First Zen Meditation

Had a great time.  Went to the Providence Zen Center tonight.  Had a Zen meditation course at 6:30...we also chatted before class in the common area.  A place where I can hang out anytime I want, even if not a member but I plan to become a member as soon as I am able.  I can ride my bike to this place in a short amount of time and it's on 40 acres. 

Anyway, I'm all over the place.  During the "practice" we only meditated for 10 minutes.  I'm used to meditating for an hour and an ocassional 20 minute when I am short on time (i.e. lunch time).  Anyway, then we just asked questions.  No one asked us "why."  But it's not about why.  It's about clearing the mind.  We all have a mind full of crap...years of crap. I have about 39 years of crap. 

So...the point of the practice session was to prepare us for the real meditation that was downstairs at 7:30 in the main meditation room.  That was an hour: 25 minutes seated (lotus or however you're comfortable...you can even sit in a folding chair), then 10 minutes of walking meditation (never did this before) around the perimeter of the room and then another 25 minutes on the floor "seated."  I need to get used to it and get a few under my belt before I'll get clear with the meditations.  But it was a great start.

I'm going back Sunday for an all day retreat.  I have a lot of info to read before then.  Not because I need to but because I want to.  There is really no book on achieving Zen.  Zen is about Zen.  It's not about Zen.  It's about nothing.  It's about getting back to where you were when you did not think.  Think about that...or don't...the second answer appears to be the right answer but Zen isn't about correctness...

Peace!

Zen Meditation...things to practice...

Some things I am learning for my first Zen Meditation tomorrow night at the Providence Zen Center:

Bowing
Chanting
Sitting

"What is most important in sitting meditation is what you do with your mind, not what you do with your feet or legs."

Also:

kong-an (Korean; Japanese: koan): a paradoxical or irrational statement used by Zen teachers to cut through students’ thinking and bring them to realization.

I may be presented with one of more kong-ans as part of the process of getting involved with this Zen Center.  And over time, will likely be presented with many of them including what are called "The Ten Gates."