Zen Buddhism | Zen Meditation | What is Zen

Zen has become one of coolest spiritual words of our time, many people use it without knowing its origin.  Mostly is used by ordinary citizens to suggest something simple, sacred and solemn. Take a look at the picture above of the single tree with nothing around it, growing up and out of the ground. This photo would have a different meaning to each person that sees it. We could say the tree is like a practitioner, growing out of the mud heading for the heavens. The real truth seeker is alone; or must practice alone, that is Zen; sees nothing (except his own faults & fears), hears nothing (ignores gossip and judgement), and practices in solitude (Zen meditation). The battle ground (against the mind) is sacred (represented by being above the clouds) and the atmosphere solemn. The tree is very present in its surroundings – no past, no future. It just is, and that is the essence of Zen Buddhism!

Originally it comes from a Japanese variant of the Chán  school of Mahayana Buddhism (the great vehicle where a single person take help many others to enlightenment) emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures; its founder was Bodhidharma, who emphasized the practice on breathing, on awareness to whatever we do in our everyday life. The main form is called zazen which is sitting meditation and concentration of the mind.

But that’s a bit of a mouthful and somewhat serious so let revert to the more cool, new age street meaning of Zen, but if you are interested in Mahayana Buddhism or Zen Buddhism then check out the web.

In line with our site, we shall take a more light-hearted view of Zen as there are many other sites out there which have mastered the dictionary definition of it.

What is Zen? When something feels good, has a dignified element to it, stands out due to its simplicity – then we could say its Zen or has Zen.  Or better still, Organic Zen, Zen moment,  but nothing related to zen Buddhism. That feeling of awesomeness is what is Zen.

If we take a walk along the beach or in the forest and have a special moment of oneness or bliss, that’s a Zen moment. If we see some monument or architecture that totally blends into its space, that’s a Zen building. If we talk philosophy or any open-ended topic which stimulates, provokes and leaves us questioning life or ourselves, that’s Zen talk.

What do these all have in common?

They bring us back to the present moment, the now. Pure Zen is awareness of the here and now. When we are quiet, perhaps in awe of our surrounding or something important, when all thoughts stop…we are having a Zen moment.

The real and true beauty of Zen is the way it takes us to the highest place, merging with the Divine. It may not last at first, but with practice we can solidify the experience. Now do you understand what is Zen and how Zen meditation make help us find inner peace?