| Surely, you have seen images of the practitioners of | | | | koan. A koan is a form of riddle/parable designed to |
| Buddhism sitting in the lotus position. Those familiar | | | | be pondered on. Generally, the messages and morals |
| with such a posture are undoubtedly aware that | | | | of a Zen koan are ambiguous. Such ambiguity is by |
| when practitioners are in such a position they are | | | | design because it promotes the potential to think |
| meditating. Without a doubt, meditation can be | | | | deeply on the answer to the riddle. In most |
| considered one of the most vital components to the | | | | instances, there is no answer to be found and finding |
| practice of this eastern religion. | | | | a definitive answer is not the purpose. The goal is to |
| Yes, if there was one component that most people | | | | develop deep personal insights that can help you |
| were familiar about when it comes to Zen Buddhism | | | | improve spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The |
| it would be the art and science of meditation. Now, | | | | inclusion of a koan helps provide targeted thinking on |
| while most people are familiar with the concept of | | | | a particular concept. For many, this aid in making the |
| meditation, they are probably only familiar with it on a | | | | meditation session quite fruitful because pondering on |
| cursory level. Meditation is not just about calming and | | | | the koans helps keep the mind focused. |
| relaxing the mind. There is a deeper meaning and | | | | Similarly, some may ponder on a mantra. A mantra |
| spirituality behind it. As such, a greater exploration of | | | | can be a word or phrase that when meditated upon |
| the process is worth engaging. | | | | can also lead to deep insights and meaning. A basic |
| So, what is the primary purpose of meditation in Zen | | | | mantra such as "life is all things good" can mean |
| Buddhism? It should come as no surprise that the | | | | different things for different people. Regardless of |
| purpose of meditation is to attain enlightenment. | | | | what its individual interpretations mean, great insights |
| Actually, the prime purpose of meditating is to | | | | can be derived when thinking of this or any other |
| remove many of the common obstacles to attaining | | | | mantra. As with this koan, a mantra can prevent the |
| enlightenment. This is achieved through reflecting on | | | | unfortunate instance of intrusive thoughts permeating |
| life, the universe, and all things in between. Through | | | | the mind and undermining the value of the session. |
| closing one's eyes, relaxing, and looking inward, it | | | | It is important to point out there needs to be a |
| becomes possible to see one's experiences in a | | | | specific process involved with performing mediation. |
| clearer perspective. Such a process allows for a | | | | Namely, you will need to set aside quiet time in a |
| greater understanding of oneself and one's place in | | | | special place in order to perform it. Noise and |
| the world. It also aids in reducing the psychic noise | | | | distractions can undermine your ability to properly |
| and internal dialogue that may clutter how we | | | | mediate. That is why you need to pick the proper |
| perceive things and how we act. | | | | time and place to meditate. |
| In some ways, you could say that meditation can be | | | | Additionally, you will want to be as comfortable as |
| a form of personal psychotherapy. Our perceptions | | | | possible when you meditate. That means you need |
| and actions can be dictated by the inaccurate way | | | | to wear loose fitting clothing and have a cushioned |
| we see things. Personal psychoses can lead to poor | | | | mat in which to sit upon. Why is this so? If you are |
| interpersonal and intrapersonal relations. By calming | | | | not comfortable, you run the risk of being distracted |
| the mind, we can get a better handle on both these | | | | and that certainly would not help the cause in any |
| components. That, in turn, allows us to be more | | | | way. |
| effective in our daily pursuits and also aids in the | | | | Consistent practice is a must for those that want to |
| potential to attain enlightenment. | | | | get the most out of meditation. The more you do it, |
| Through years of practice, Zen experts have found | | | | the better you will become at it. This means you will |
| ways to get the most out of meditation practice. | | | | get greater benefits from it. Hopefully, the end result |
| Often, Zen meditation will involve pondering on a Zen | | | | will be the proper attainment of enlightenment. |