Zazen – Seated Meditation

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Zazen – seeing clearly and moving freely while seated on a cushion. For as long as humans have been trying to understand their humanity, there has been seated meditation and contemplation. This is especially true for martial artists.

Why zazen … what is the goal of zazen?

Although most zen students dance around this question, the answer to “What is the goal of zazen?” is  fairly straightforward, although it may not be what you wanted to hear …

The goal of zazen is for you to realize that if you think you get it, you don’t.

At first blush, you have to think this is just mushmouth double-talk. It is not. The problem with trying to define zazen is that  it can only be defined in the negative (what it is not), and the more precise you try to be, the less there is to say.

So, not terribly glamorous, and even less understandable, but the ‘plus-up’ is, that when you arrive at this place (where you no longer think if you’ve got it) … better yet, to arrive at this place, you will need to come to terms with a lot of  unwanted baggage (doubts, fear, anger, frustration, etc.) – and that’s what keeps most people from seeing clearly and moving freely and keeps students butt down on a cushion.

Why practice zazen at Moving Freely?

Although there is only one teaching, there are many kinds of students. Moving Freely zazen is the ultimate in  ‘keep questioning’,  ‘no frills’ sitting. If you’ve got questions, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for answers, you will be happier somewhere else. In true self-reliant style, we have no talks, no talking, just bells and clackers sitting. No one can do it for you, you must do it yourself. That’s it.

At Moving Freely Martial Arts., zazen is the first of our four disciplines. As sitting focuses entirely on the experiencing of the activity at hand, just come, sit, go.

Instruction

Starting in May, we will provide beginner’s instruction. For now, there are many great sources of instruction available here in Albuquerque. Most instruction takes about an hour. We certainly recommend the Albuquerque Zen Center. AZC has regular instruction every Saturday at 8:30am. In fact, you may also want to consider sitting there if it is closer for you.

Cushion (or bench) / Meditation Robes

You will need to bring your own cushion (zafu) or seiza bench for sitting. We will be sitting for a relatively short duration on a matted surface, so the small mat (zabutan) will not be necessary. To buy a cushion or bench, there are many great sources on-line. You may try Still Sitting meditation supplies.

We do not require meditation robes.

Sitting Schedule

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Mornings:

6:15 – 6:45:   Sitting (seated meditation) 30 minutes
6:45 – 6:50:   Walking (walking meditation) 5 minutes
6:50 – 7:15:   Sitting (seated meditation) 25 minutes

Some General Info

  • Just come, sit, and go.
  • There will be no talking before, during or after sitting (period).
  • Arrive a few minutes early to set up.
  • When sitting, remain perfectly still – no adjustments for discomfort, no scratching or wiping the nose.
  • When sitting, remain perfectly quiet – no sighs or noisy breathing, no sniffling or clearing the throat.
  • When walking, hands are in sassho (left over right, close to the chest), stay close and walk ‘in step’.
  • You may use the bathroom during the walking meditation. Simply step out of the walking line, use the bathroom, and return to the same place in the line.
  • When walking or sitting – burping, farting, coughing and sneezing are ok.
  • Distracting movements and distracting noises will be corrected by the meditation leader.
  • After the last bell, leave promptly.
  • If your schedule requires, you may arrive late and leave early. Set up promptly and quietly, leave quietly.

Bells and Clappers (How we communicate without talking)

First sitting (30 minute seated meditation)

  • Starts with all seated – 4 bells (all movement stops)
  • Ends with one bell and one clapper (all stand).

Walking (5 minute walking meditation, to stretch out the legs)

  • Starts with all standing – one clapper (start walking, following the meditation leader)
  • Ends with one clapper (following the meditation leader, stop at your seat) and one bell (all sit).

Second sitting (25 minute seated meditation)

  • Starts with all seated – one clapper and 3 bells (all movement stops)
  • Ends with one bell (all leave).

Contributing

$5 for each morning that you sit – $25/month maximum ($3 / $15 for students / military / retired / additional family).

Contributions are on the honor system, pay as you see fit (monthly, every other month, etc.) – cash or check made out to Jim Redel and presented in an envelope.

Remember that all contributions are donated to two world hunger organizations (Oxfam America and Action Against Hunger).

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