Comments on: Zen? http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/ For Zen and your balanced discussions Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:14:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Brice Haines http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Brice Haines Wed, 14 May 2008 05:01:40 +0000 http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/#comment-51 Welcome to the Zen tradition! Some people think of Zen as a kind of lifestyle -- simplicity, sparse furnishings, cleanliness, etc. -- but actually Zen Buddhism has little to do with lifestyle choices. Zen doesn't even depend on outside circumstances, such as living in a quiet, rural place. If it did, it wouldn't be very useful. What Zen does, is help us become familiar with how mind functions. Most of us, most of the time, live in habitual ways. We do this because our mind has habits -- habitual ways of seeing and acting. When we clearly see the function of mind, we can become free of these mind-habits. Then, we are liberated to act with compassion, wisdom, and creativity. This liberation is the point of Zen. For most people, the best way to take the path of Zen is by establishing a relationship with a Zen center. The people there will teach you meditation and other practices, will support you as you integrate these techniques into your daily life, and will share with you the ordinary challenges and joys of this ancient tradition. This link will take you to Zen centers around the world. If you live in a large city, there will be several centers. I recommend visiting them all to see if one feels most suited to you. If you have specific questions, you can email me through my profile page. Welcome to the Zen tradition! Some people think of Zen as a kind of lifestyle — simplicity, sparse furnishings, cleanliness, etc. — but actually Zen Buddhism has little to do with lifestyle choices.

Zen doesn’t even depend on outside circumstances, such as living in a quiet, rural place. If it did, it wouldn’t be very useful.

What Zen does, is help us become familiar with how mind functions. Most of us, most of the time, live in habitual ways. We do this because our mind has habits — habitual ways of seeing and acting. When we clearly see the function of mind, we can become free of these mind-habits.

Then, we are liberated to act with compassion, wisdom, and creativity. This liberation is the point of Zen.

For most people, the best way to take the path of Zen is by establishing a relationship with a Zen center. The people there will teach you meditation and other practices, will support you as you integrate these techniques into your daily life, and will share with you the ordinary challenges and joys of this ancient tradition.

This link will take you to Zen centers around the world.
If you live in a large city, there will be several centers. I recommend visiting them all to see if one feels most suited to you.

If you have specific questions, you can email me through my profile page.

]]> By: Gustavo Webster http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Gustavo Webster Mon, 12 May 2008 16:04:48 +0000 http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/#comment-50 Like this... Like this…

]]> By: Ezekiel Duckworth http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Ezekiel Duckworth Sun, 11 May 2008 03:43:40 +0000 http://www.z-e-n.co.uk/zen/#comment-49 I would suggest that you read "Zen without Zen Masters" as a starter. Then find a meditation method that works for you. I don't find chanting to be all that useful, but you can give it a try. Also, see if there are any Buddhist temples in your area. I'm sure that would be more than happy to help. I would suggest that you read “Zen without Zen Masters” as a starter. Then find a meditation method that works for you. I don’t find chanting to be all that useful, but you can give it a try. Also, see if there are any Buddhist temples in your area. I’m sure that would be more than happy to help.

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