Zen Meditation – Page 2 – Secrets2Meditation

Relaxation Through The Ancient Zen Technique Of Meditation

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Every individual goes through periods of extreme stress and mental tension in their lives. It is in these situations that their mind is tested to its limits and finds it incapable of performing even simple tasks. This can be a huge setback in a constantly improving and evolving world. This is why the ancient art of meditation is finding a revival among people. This technique helps in improving the focus and control of the individual and helps them assess situations without giving in to emotions. This is vital and helps them take care of both their mental and physical health. The benefits of deep breathing techniques have also found approval among many professional doctors and psychologists.

The mind is a very powerful tool and can prove to be effective if utilized to its complete potential. Meditation helps the individual step away from the problems and focus on finding a solution. A popular technique among many healers and Orientals, the method has also found popularity among many scientific researchers in recent times. The positive effects of meditation and breathing has been observed and researched by many scientific organizations. The ability of these techniques to help the individual calm down and provide them with a stress free perspective on their problems is very vital in today’s stress filled atmosphere.

The positive factors of meditation have attracted many people towards this process as a means of relaxation. But it is necessary that people undergo the right training and orientation in order to completely realize the benefits of these techniques. Most meditation techniques focus on the breathing patterns of the individual and help them gain control of their mind and the breathing rate.

This is very instrumental in bringing down nerve tensions and helps the individual gain control of their blood pressure and heartbeat. This is why meditation exercises are often recommended to patients of high blood pressure to help them relieve the stress. The main advantages of these techniques lie in their apparent ease and ability to be performed anywhere by anyone. This makes these meditative exercises the best form of self help for patients and stressed professionals. The current situation of unhealthy diets combined with stress filled professional lives makes it essential for people to practice these breathing techniques in order to find a balance in their lifestyle.

There are many self help courses available online which help users learn meditative techniques. These websites provide users with information from meditation to breathing and relaxation methods. However, it is important that users choose a credible and trusted website in this aspect. The use of the right website can help the users deal with problems like stress, hypertension and other cardiac issues. There are also many forums which discuss the effects of meditative techniques on mental and physical capacity of the individual. This can prove to be a very effective influence on the performance and health of many people. Meditation will certainly help people to bridge the gap between potential and performance even in stress filled situations.

Brett Reilly is the author of this article on Relaxation. Find more information about Breathing here.

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Zen Meditation – How Does it Make Life Better?

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Zen Buddhism is derived from a number of sources, the most significant being the sutras contained in the Mahayana doctrines of Buddhism. The scriptures having the sutras are found in the two most ancient centers of Buddhism, China and India. The sutras include the Lankavatara sutra, the Diamond, Lotus and Heart sutras, among several others. Zen Buddhism is most deeply influenced by these sutras, but some of its principles have been derived from other sources. The following are some key principles of Zen Buddhism.

• Zen Buddhism is akin to Buddhism in its chief teachings. Like Buddhism, the doctrines of Zen Buddhism preach of the eight fold path, the four truths, the seals of dharma etc. the only difference is that these teachings are derived from that of Mahayana Buddhism, therefore there are certain subtle differences.

• Zen Buddhism derives some of its doctrines from the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism. The followers of Zen Buddhism are taught to subjugate the self in their quest for knowledge and truth. Selfishness and egotism are to be done away with. In Zen Buddhism, it is believed the life is all about the accumulation of knowledge from various spheres, and this is achieved by passing difficult tests of merit.

• Zen Buddhism philosophers are of the opinion that Buddha resides in all our hearts and one has to strive to reach out to him. The vehicles to feel the divine residing within oneself are meditation and the six paramitas which all disciples should practice. These six paramitas include charity, discipline, meditation, strength, wisdom and patience. The practice of these six virtues breaks down the barriers between the self and the divine, and one can see the seat of Buddha within him.

The practitioners of this philosophy say that it is possible to reach Buddha by meditation, prayer, and practice of the six paramitas.

Zen Buddhism asks its followers to practice regular meditation to achieve oneness with the divine. However, meditation as a vehicle of meeting the God within one’s heart is an ancient practice. Not only does it exist as a religious practice, it is also a therapy to curb many illnesses of the modern lifestyle. It brings a sense of calm and serenity, cures people of their physical difficulties and emotional turmoil.

Meditation is also known to decrease stress levels and cure stress related diseases like hypertension, increased heart rate leading to cardiac and respiratory ailments, fatigue, problems in digestion and many other health problems. Regular meditation can also reduce impatience by calming the mind and body. It is a perfect way to keep good health no matter what the age. Meditation techniques laid down by Zen Buddhism can help by achieving the following.

1. It reduces blood pressure and keeps it within limit.
2. Brings down heart rate to normal, and thereby breathing problems are cured.
3. It helps the digestive system to function normally.
4. By keeping you calm, it reduces your fatigue, and ensures that your stock of energy is evenly distributed throughout the day.
5. It also brings down the secretion of adrenaline, a hormone causing excitement and thereby increased stress.

All this is possible if you go through a session of Zen meditation. The program works on your health by monitoring the auditory responses of the participants. People who’ve experienced the program also say that they feel and work much better after they have been initiated into meditation. It has also helped them to regain their ambitions in life and given them the zeal to follow them.

Here’s an excellent way to start enjoying the benefits of meditation today. The Deep Zen audio program is easy for anyone wanting to learn how to meditate – offering a free demo, and helps advanced meditators achieve deeper levels of meditation too. Try another free demo here: Totally Tranquil

How Meditation Techniques Compare — Zen, Mindfulness, Transcendental Meditation And More

Zen Meditation Compare, Meditation, Mindfulness, More, Techniques, Transcendental

Meditation shopping? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Yet millions of Americans are seeking tools to turn within. As a nation we’ve tried to fix our problems with everything from psychotherapy and Prozac to positive thinking and politics. Now people everywhere are ready to close their eyes and take a dive — not to escape, but to more fully be.

Having lectured on meditation for 25 years, I find that audiences no longer need to be convinced of meditation’s practical benefits. But people do often ask, “Aren’t all meditation techniques basically the same?”

Experts in the venerated traditions of meditation have always marveled at the mind’s subtlety, appreciating its keen responsiveness and sensitivity to different mental procedures. Great master teachers of meditation have recognized that the various techniques engage the mind in different ways and naturally produce different results. With advancements in neurophysiology, scientists are now identifying distinctions among varieties of meditation practices.

The Myth of the Relaxation Response

The old “scientific” myth that meditation practices all induce the same, general state of physiological rest — called the “relaxation response” — has been overturned. Though many practices provide relaxation, decades of research show that not all techniques produce the same physiological, psychological or behavioral effects.1

Recently a doctor came to me for meditation instruction. He had learned a “relaxation response” technique in a class on integrative medicine during his training at Harvard. He was attracted to meditation by the promise of deeper insight into consciousness — access to the mind’s hidden, transcendent potentialities. He enjoyed the relaxation technique but yearned for deeper experience and understanding.

Reviewing the science journals, the doctor arrived at the same conclusion reached by leading meditation researchers: the “relaxation” model was based on inconclusive evidence and had never been substantiated. Hundreds of published studies on meditation techniques show varying effects from different practices — ranging from measures of rest much deeper than the “relaxation response” to physiological states no different from sliding back into your easy chair.

The emerging paradigm: three major categories of meditation

Meditation labs have sprung up at universities across the country–places such as Yale, UCLA, University of Oregon, UW Madison and Maharishi University of Management. Their contributions have helped researchers identify three major categories of techniques, classified according to EEG measurements and the type of cognitive processing or mental activity involved:

* Controlled focus: Classic examples of concentration or controlled focus are found in the revered traditions of Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Qiqong, Yoga and Vedanta, though many methods involve attempts to control or direct the mind. Attention is focused on an object of meditation–such as one’s breath, an idea or image, or an emotion. Brain waves recorded during these practices are typically in the gamma frequency (20-50 Hz), seen whenever you concentrate or during “active” cognitive processing.2
* Open monitoring: These mindfulness type practices, common in Vipassana and Zazen, involve watching or actively paying attention to experiences–without judging, reacting or holding on. Open monitoring gives rise to frontal theta (4-8 Hz), an EEG pattern commonly seen during memory tasks or reflection on mental concepts.3
* Automatic self-transcending: This category describes practices designed to go beyond their own mental activity–enabling the mind to spontaneously transcend the process of meditation itself. Whereas concentration and open monitoring require degrees of effort or directed focus to sustain the activity of meditation, this approach is effortless because there is no attempt to direct attention–no controlled cognitive processing. An example is the Transcendental Meditation technique. The EEG pattern of this category is frontal alpha coherence, associated with a distinct state of relaxed inner wakefulness.4

Some techniques may fall under more than one category: Guided meditation is controlled focus if the instruction is, “Hold attention on your breath.” But if the instructor says, “Now just watch your thoughts, letting them come and go,” then you’re probably doing open monitoring–and your EEG would say for sure.

Different practices, different results

Without the scientific research (or until we have a cell phone app for measuring our EEG and biochemistry), meditative states and their effects remain subjective. Brain research, along with findings on psychological and behavioral effects, gives a more objective framework for health professionals or anyone to determine which meditation technique might be most beneficial for a given purpose.

For example, research suggests that concentration techniques may improve focusing ability. A study on advanced Buddhist monks–some of whom had logged more 10,000 hours of meditation — found that concentrating on “loving kindness and compassion” increased those feelings and produced synchronous gamma activity in the left prefrontal cortex — indicating more powerful focus.

The effect of open monitoring or non-judgmental observation is said to increase even-mindedness in daily life; studies on mindfulness-type practices indicate better pain management and reduction of “negative rumination.”

For relief from stress, research suggests that an automatic self-transcending technique might serve you better than a practice that keeps the mind engaged in continuous mental effort. Because of the natural mind/body relationship, the more deeply settled the mind, the more deeply rested is the body. Studies show that the deep rest of “transcending” calms the sympathetic nervous system and restores physiological balance — lowering high blood pressure, alleviating chronic anxiety and reducing stress hormones such as cortisol.

More research is needed to verify benefits of controlled focus, but there are numerous studies on mindfulness practices and automatic self-transcending, with over 600 studies on the Transcendental Meditation technique alone.

As meditation becomes a new frontier of scientific research, more and more people are becoming aware of the mind’s enormous potential for impacting health and wellbeing. I find that most meditators are no longer concerned that a technique might come from the East or have roots in a spiritual tradition–their main concern is that the practice works, and science can help remove the guesswork.

Americans are opting for meditation to counterbalance a life that’s been plugged in, outer directed and over stimulated, and we’re turning to something as simple as our own inner silence.

Whether you’re an athlete aiming for the “zone,” an executive striving for peak performance or a harried mother needing some serenity, a reliable meditation practice can be your best friend.

1. Orme-Johnson, Walton, 1998. American Journal of Health Promotion 2(5), 297-299.
2. Lutz, Greischar, Rawlings, Ricard, Davidson, 2004. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101,16369-73.
3. Cahn, Delorme, & Polich, 2010. Cognitive Processing 2010 11(1):39-56.
4. Travis et al, 2010. Cognitive Processing 11(1), 21-30.

Jeanne Ball is a writer for the David Lynch Foundation — a non-profit, philanthropic organization that supports meditation projects for such diverse groups as gifted children, at-risk kids, prison inmates, veterans, Native Americans, high school and college students and the homeless.

As a meditation teacher, she has lectured on theory and practice for over 25 years, instructing children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. She specializes in teaching meditation to people with ADHD.

Looking For Deep Zen Meditating Tips?

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Meditation is not a complex process. It is the simple practice of focusing your mind on a peaceful and quiet idea. And as you would expect, being in commune with nature helps achieve this in the best way. Here are a few more tips on improving your meditation experience and getting the best out of it.

Pick a place that has abundant greenery. Any spot of natural beauty will do. Once you’ve decided on the place, make the time to go walking there, at your own pace. Don’t hurry. Go through the natural surroundings, looking and feeling every bit of its beauty. Remember to notice how you feel: your skin, arms, legs and so on. Try and concentrate on the feeling of bliss you experience.

Another option is to sit quietly and meditate on everything around you, instead of walking. Feel the wind, look at the trees around, listen to the chirping of tiny, unseen birds. Again, note in your mind everything you see or hear or feel.

These methods are very useful in reducing stress. They are derived from the importance Zen Meditation gives on “living the moment”. It asks you to concentrate on the time at hand, and live this moment to the fullest. Zen Meditation is the art of giving your present your all, without longing or regret for the past, nor anxiety for the future – both major reasons for stress in our lives.
Here are other ways to practice meditation (while you’re traveling, for instance):

Begin by breathing in deeply five times. This is the first step to relaxation.

Now focus your mind on the physical act of breathing. Think on the inhaling and the exhaling without trying to change the pace or intensity. Try and make your breathing feel tangible, palpable.

Feel its physicality: it’s warmth, weight, frequency and so on. Do this for up to five minutes and you will feel your mind calming right away.

The next step is the primary act of meditation. Look out the window at the scenery that’s going by without focusing on anything. Have a sweeping, blurred vision. Relax your eyes as they glance through the greenery and the surroundings – houses, buildings, grass, other cars, the sky and everything else that there is to see. Forget your “within” and concentrate on the “without” – the world outside you, let it fill you.

Whenever your car stops, go back to step two and re-start the primary act when you begin moving again.

Do not let this hamper your driving. If you’re on a busy street, leave the meditation for later.

Your “Deep Zen” can be reached in seven years of isolation, as most monks do it. Or, in a few minutes. Which would you prefer? The second?

Just plug on your headphones to some calming, instrumental music and let it seep through you. It brings the meditative quality that isolation does. Just allow the music to calm you, to let you meditate in tranquility. This, for a few minutes everyday is all you need.

Zen Meditation allows you to focus on your problems and their root causes. Once you’re able to fix your problems and meet them head-on, your work is completed and you don’t feel stressed about anything any more.

Its medicinal value is proven to work all over the world. Meditation programs are among the most popular healing programs today. In the programs, your brain is attuned to sound waves in such a way that it echoes the waves’ calming effect on your mind. Like a radio station in your own head which you can play whenever you want to!

Free Medicine For the Mind – Zen Meditation

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“Perfect,” I said. “You can spend a lifetime learning all the subtleties about Zen meditation, but a beginner can learn how to do it in five minutes.”
Zen means simple and Zen meditation is the simplest form of meditation. Forest Zen is the simplest path of all the paths to Zen and that is the path of the Zen Forest.

“How do you meditate, here?” I asked on my first visit to the Zen Forest.
The monk who created the Zen retreat gave me a blank look.
“I’ve been taught different ways,” I said. “Some say to sit like this, hold your hands like that, with your fingertips touching and the tip of your tongue at the roof of your mouth.”

He laughed very hard and said, “That’s the way we teach beginners. It’s like telling a little kid that Santa Claus is real. Are you going to tell a very young person who believes in Santa Claus that Santa Claus isn’t real?”
“People new to meditation need to believe things like that will help them do it right,” he said.
“People new to vegetarianism like vegetable dishes that look and taste like chicken, fish, hamburgers, steak…. You can make mock duck, mock goose, mock chicken, and so on. Later, it isn’t necessary.”

A Step-By-Step Guide To Sitting Meditation

The goal is to still. How still? As still as the dead.
Meditation has been described as practicing being dead.

Step One: Sit on the floor in the full lotus position.

If you cannot sit in the full lotus position, don’t worry. Sit in the half lotus position.
If you cannot sit in the half lotus position, don’t worry. Sit cross-legged.
If you cannot sit cross-legged, don’t worry.
If you cannot sit on the floor, sit on a chair.

Most people sit on a pillow, on a mat, and use cushions to prop up their legs.

Some use a blanket to hold their hands comfortably in their laps.

If you choose to sit on a chair, sit on the front edge, keeping your back straight. If you cannot sit on a chair without leaning back for support, try meditating in a Muskoka chair. Use the cushions to get into a comfortable position so you don’t have to move for twenty minutes or so.

Step Two: Keep your eyes open and look at the floor about three feet in front of you.

Step Three: Try to keep your back straight. If you cannot find a way to sit comfortably on the floor, try leaning against a wall.

Step Four: Your left hand should rest in the cup of your right hand and your thumbs should touch lightly.

Step Five: Focus on your breath. Pay attention to your breathing.

Step Six: Count breaths. Breathe in and count “one” as you exhale. Breathe in and count “two” as you exhale.

Step Seven: Count to ten, breathing in and out, and start over again.

Step Eight: Thoughts arise naturally during meditation. Try not to follow your thoughts. Let them come and go. Focus on your breathing. Don’t engage with your thoughts. Watch them come and go as though you are watching a movie.

Step Nine: After meditating, massage your sore muscles and then do some exercises to get your energy going again.

Step Ten: This step is for advanced meditators. You don’t have to count your breaths. Just follow your breath as it goes in and out.

Put your awareness at the tip of your nose or on your belly. Stay aware of your breathing.

When we are aware that we are breathing, the mind and the body are one, and monkey mind ends. We’re not thinking about the future or the past – just the present moment.

If you are a very experienced meditator, focus on your true nature.

The Goal of Meditation

The goal of meditation is to still the mind. The mind is like a cup of water from the pond. We are sitting in Muskoka chairs, on the new field stone patio in front of the dining hall attached to the zendo, looking at the creek the monk turned into a pond at the Zen Forest.

“How many thoughts do we have each day?” Thay asks me.
“I studied with Deepak Chopra last summer and he quoted Wayne Dyer saying we have sixty thousand thoughts a day,” I say.
“Sixty thousand, they say?” the monk laughs. “Oh really? We have monkey mind, with six hundred thousand thoughts per day. Those are the big ones. Who knows how many small ones we have. They are like waves and ripples on the ocean and on a pond.
“Imagine taking a glass of water from the pond,” he says. “That glass of water from the pond may be muddy and cloudy.
“Let it settle.”
“The mud is heaviest and sinks to the bottom. Other impurities may settle on the mud. At the top is the purest water.”
“If you’re smart, you’ll siphon off that water.”
“That’s your mind and those are your thoughts.”
“Let the heavy thoughts sink to the bottom.”
“Siphon off the water at the top. That’s wise.”
“Meditation does for the mind what time and gravity does for the pond water.”
“Show me the siphon,” I say.
The monk says, “I can show you by teaching you Zen meditation.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is meditation?
A. Medicine for the mind, body, and spirit.

Q. Where does meditation come from?
A. The Far East. (I learned about Zen meditation in the far east of Ontario.)

Q. Will I need to make lifestyle changes in order to meditate?
A. No.

Q. Is Zen a religion?
A. No.

Q. Is Zen a branch of Buddhism?
A. No.

Q. Do I have to sit cross-legged? Do I have to sit on the floor? Do I have to sit like a statue for an hour?
A. No, no, no.

Q. Do I need a group or a guru?
A. No, but it helps, at times.

Q. Do I have to sit still for any period of time?
A. Yes, as still as a frog on a log.

Q. When should I meditate?
A. Sitting meditation in the morning and evening, sleeping meditation at night, reclining meditation and walking meditation, whenever.

Q. Do I need a mantra?
A. No. I went to a workshop with Deepak Chopra at the Omega Holistic Institute near Woodstock, New York, and he quoted his friend Wayne Dyer recommending you say to yourself “Ahhh” and “Om” as you breathe in and out, or “shalom”. But you don’t have to.

Q. What is meditation like?
A. At a recent Zen Power Hour I led, we did a check-in after meditation, and one woman said, “I spent the weekend at the cottage on one of our islands in Georgian Bay and it was relaxing but that twenty minutes of meditation in a Muskoka chair, or Adirondack chair, was even more relaxing and more of a holiday.”

Martin Avery is a Zen meditation teacher and Qi Gong instructor. He is the author of Simple Simon’s Guide To Zen Meditation and the creator of the Zen Power Hour with Zen meditation, solo massage, qi gong, and walking meditation.

If you’d like to learn more about Zen meditation, check out Simple Simon’s Guide To Zen Meditation at

Why Should You Trust Zen Meditation Techniques? Zen Tips & Tools

Zen Meditation Meditation, Should, Techniques, Tips, Tools, Trust

Do you feel completely stressed out, and need the serene calming effect of rest to creep up on you and put your mind and soul back to rest? Do you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little while, and go to a place where you can wind up, and leave behind all those trouble and problems? Do not worry, for your solution is right here, and it is nothing but the art of Zen meditation.

Zazen is the art of Zen meditation. It helps you by allowing you to reach within your inner self, and heal up from the very centre. There are certain facts about this art that you should know:

Just like Buddha, who attained his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree by sitting still for a long time, the people also practice Zen meditation in the same way. They do not move when they meditate.

This meditation started a long time ago, and for 2500 years it has been practiced in India, from where it spread to China, Japan, and then the rest of the world.

This art is also affected by the Japanese way of focusing singularly on one thought or object completely. Buddhist monks practice the Zen meditation daily. For this they are also called “Meditation Buddhists”.

Experts say that this form of meditation can be practiced everyday for a certain period of time, but on an average, it is necessary to devote only five minutes in complete rest and calm every day.

Zen meditation via audio format is an audio strategy that is based on the calming effects that certain sound frequencies have on the brain of the people, thus helping them to rest peacefully.

With the help of this program, you will be able to tackle stress, emotional worries and weaknesses of any kind.

You will able to heal your within, so that you will start to feel complete in every way.

Zen meditation actually empowers you to avoid any distractions get to the roots of all your troubles and stem them short.

This meditation is so good and efficient, that everyone trusts it immediately! This program is also very quick; it can bring upon you the needed effect within five minutes after you start listening to the music.

This activity is perfect for you, if you want to alleviate the stress in your life and build your life on complete harmony.

After five minutes of listening to it, your brain will tune in to the resonance of the sound and a dominant brain wave pattern will be achieved through the desired frequency.

A Zen meditation program is considered to be one of the best meditation technique that whoever has used it will it trust completely.

It actually gets rid of all distraction for you, so that you are able to concentrate on one thought or job one at a time, and give it your 100% so that you can work quickly and efficiently.

So, buy this product, and see your life change for the better. Your family and work life will readily improve, and your performance will reach and all time high.

ZEN:MUSIC FOR BALANCE AND RELAXATION[FULL ALBUM]HD–CD1 01. Dawn 02. Flower 03. Moon 04. Feng Shui 05. Daylight 06. Stone Garden 07. Snow 08. Twilight 09. Bi…
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Deep Zen Meditation – Harness Emotions

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I’ve discussed the relationship of physical well being and mental well being to Deep Zen Meditation. Last, I want to discuss how meditation can control your emotions.

What the heck are emotions and how can meditation control your emotions?

In simplest terms, emotions are strong feelings that result in a behavior change.

How many times have we been in a situation where our emotions control us and we do something totally irrational? Examples that I can think of are athletes, coaches, and fans. Oh, and the classic example is the out-of-control hockey mom.

After the moment is over, how many times do we wish we reacted differently to the situation. Almost all the time regret sets in and we are left with the embarrassment and the consequences of the out-of-control moment.

On the other hand, it is a thing of beauty to watch someone handle a difficult situation with their emotions totally in control. I think about coaches and players that are interviewed after a losing effort.

So I ask myself, why does one person act calm and cool, and another person spiral out-of-control?

I know it must have something to do with controlling your emotions and I know meditation can control a number of mental and physical processes. Therefore, it makes sense to me that Deep Zen Meditation can have an impact on controlling your emotions.

How does one go about meditating to control emotions? Is there a special way to meditate to that will control emotions? Is there a way to turn emotions on and off effectively through meditation?

Meditation is really an experiment with your brain. It sharpens your will power, focus, and reactions.

These benefits have a direct correlation to controlling your emotion.

Let your mind wander for a minute and ask yourself what life would be like if I could control my emotions during highly charged events? Or even this, how would your life be different today had you been able to control your emotions in the past.

Deep Zen Meditation interjects discipline into our emotional process. It gives you the ability to turn emotions on and off. If meditation can do that, essentially we have controlled our emotions.

Deep Zen Meditation is a great way to refresh our bodies and minds.By using your imagination, you can meditate anywhere. For more information about Deep Zen Meditation, click on the links here.

Dave Leffler

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How Can Zen Meditation Help? : zen meditation

Zen Meditation Help, Meditation

It is distinguished from other traditional forms in that the person practicing Zen meditation does not get into a ‘trance’. That is the person meditating is awake the whole time enabling him to experience the peace and serenity that each breath brings and thus receiving a more fulfilling experience.

Of central importance is the place in which one is going to meditate, so select a comfortable and silent place where there will be minimum disturbance. Regulate the temperature and the light in the location. Maintain a balance and see that the conditions are not extreme. Place a rug and you are all set to go. A blanket or cushion works just as well. Whether you would place it on the floor or on a pad is up to you.

There are various meditation pads and cushions available in the market. These are also referred to as zabutons and zafus and are target specific merchandise aimed solely for the purpose of meditation. But as a beginner you could start by using other general items like pillows, cushions and blankets.

The first thing that Zen meditation, also referred to as Zazen, demands of a person is the ability to control his mind. This requires training. However this is not a cause for worry because of all the meditation techniques that one is exposed to these days, this is the simplest and easiest. Learning to control one’s mind is not difficult; just look up the subject on the internet and find the correct way of doing it.

The worst thing you could do while mastering the technique to do Zen meditation is trying too hard. People more often than not push themselves too much and forcefully quiet their minds by clearing out their thoughts as fast as possible without giving the time that the thoughts demand.

The person meditating must reflect upon all matter pressing them at the moment and then slowly calm down. While practicing Zen meditation it is required that you let your mind quiet down with certain autonomy and most importantly without resorting to force.

The best way to start is by learning to observe your breathing pattern and understanding the basic structure of your thoughts. This helps you to detach yourself from your thoughts and enables you to compartmentalize your brain such that it becomes easier to clear out your mind and calm down faster. Needless to say, mastering this technique requires time and practice. However this is effective and with time you will realize that you are able to quiet down easily without spending much time or thought on it. Zen meditation is a sure way to reach your core and find complete peace and patience is the key to success.

It is popularly believed that Zen meditation is practiced solely by Buddhist monks and philosophers but in truth common individuals too can use this technique of meditation. It is simple and effective. It gives you concentration and teaches you how to deal with the present. If you keep practicing this form of meditation you will see that you are progressively being able to think only about the moment at hand, all anxieties about the past and the future being relieved. Zen meditation teaches you to connect with attributes of your self that you didn’t even know existed and finally be at peace with your body, mind and soul.