Still Water Zendo

Still Water Zendo

When the water is still, the moon appears.

A Western approach to Zen (Chan) teachings regarding mindful living and the benefits of zazen (sitting meditation).

Zen cannot be found in words or descriptions. As soon as it is described, it is not Zen. Life is thought of as a gift to be experienced - an investigation into life. Awakening occurs when one realizes that our situation is both hopeless and wonderful. Concentration is developed to gain awareness of the eternal, timeless moment. From this, a joy begins to develop as one accepts the circumstances of their life just as they are; the very purpose of life found in the deceptively simple activity of experiencing. When one looks very carefully, the self cannot be found. The self is actually an activity shaped moment by moment. The ultimate goal of Zen then is to live an experiential life where one loses the "self" to gain a pure experience of reality.

Since Zen literally means to meditate, this is the primary path to awakening. In Zen practice, mediation is known as ‘zazen’ and is the heart of the practice. During zazen, practitioners sit with an unsupported, erect spine. This can be done in a variety of postures including: full-lotus, half-lotus, Burmese (cross-legged posture with ankles placed in front of sitter), seiza (kneeling posture), or sitting in a chair. The hands are placed in a ‘cosmic mudra’ with eyes half-open. The practitioner then just sits, neither seeking, nor turning away from stimuli. The analogy of a reflective pond can be imagined…the water will reflect whatever passes overhead. If clouds float above, the pond reflects and does not grasp at them. If birds fly overhead, the pond again reflects them perfectly, not worried about their passing. All things that float above the pond are reflected and noticed, but are not clung to.

While most practices involve a lot of words, beliefs, and faith - Zen involves listening with an inward examination to understand one's place in the universe. No matter one's religious, agnostic, or atheistic background, everyone is welcome to learn how Zen can increase his or her awareness.

I sit every Thursday from 7:00pm to 8:15pm - please feel free to come sit with me.