The Zen Meditation Instruction You Need To Get Started    
by Susan Masters

If you want to experience a bit from the life of the Buddhism monks, than the first thing you need is an efficient Zen meditation instruction. Zen meditation can be a great alternative to the more classic forms of meditation and even though it might be stricter, it can be fully enjoyed, especially after some weeks of practice.

What Does Zen Refer to?


In order to fully understand any Zen meditation instruction, you need to understand the basis of this practice. Zen is an actual form of Buddhism which is relying more on experimental facts and wisdom, as well as on the practice of Zen mediation, also known under the name of Zazen.

Zen meditation starts from the typical position called lotus which has numerous variations, such as half-lotus or seiza also, there is the kinhin posture, which refers to meditating while walking. This practice is divided into Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen, which use different techniques, postures and adjacent objects in order to complete the meditation session. In a Zen meditation, the correct position and the breathing are essential.

An Efficient Beginner Zen Meditation Technique

The first Zen meditation instruction you need to be aware of is that you simply have to sit and empty your mind. This might sound easier that it actually is. In order to do that, you need to find the correct position and it is advisable to start with the classic lotus position, meaning keeping your legs crossed in front of you, your hands in your lap and your spine erect. The purpose of this erect position is to make sure you don t fall asleep.

The next Zen meditation instruction refers to contemplating. You can start with contemplating or simply looking at your left hand and gradually move on to looking at your arm. Your thoughts should be blank and you should push all potential thoughts away. Gradually, acknowledge your left part of the body, feel it and sense it as intense as possible.

With the help of this Zen Meditation instruction, you will activate the left part of your brain and so, your thoughts will basically disappear. At this point, you need to start your breathing session. Firstly, breathe in as slowly as possible and then breathe out the same way though your nostrils. Gradually, you have to push your inhalation and exhalation even deeper, taking bigger and longer inhales and exhales.

The goal of the Zen meditation program and of each Zen meditation instruction is to activate the left part of the brain, the part that is responsible for thinking, logic and science. If you want to start a Zen meditation program, then you need to make sure you apply each Zen meditation instruction correctly, in order to achieve that state of stillness and emptiness that is considered to be the ultimate Zazen goal.

This type of meditation tends to be stricter than other freer forms of anti-stress meditation, for example, but the results can be truly rewarding. Good luck and enjoy your new Zen meditation program!