Zazen
Zazen has been transmitted from the times of the Buddha Shakyamuni to today. Zazen is a natural state, shikantaza, just sitting, just the action of sitting. The posture (stance) follows precise rules relating to the body, breath and the attitude of spirit, rules that have been transmitted directly from master to disciple since the completion of the Shakyamuni Buddha. In this single act we find intimacy with ourselves, with our totality. We practice concentration in the unity of body and mind.
Posture
Kodo Sawaki
We sit on a zafu, or thick round cushion, filled with kapok. This allows the knees to touch the ground and tilt the pelvis forward. The legs are folded in the lotus or semi lotus position. The knees push onto the floor while the hip bones push into the zafu thus providing a perfect balance.
The tilting of the pelvis, an essential aspect of the posture, is done at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. From this point, you have to stretch the spine vertically, extend the neck free of tension and drop the shoulders.
The position of the head is very important. Keep the neck straight and enter the chin. The ears are placed at the same level of the shoulders while aligning the nose with the navel. The eyes are opened halfway, the opening of our visual consciousness is attentive, and the gaze falls on the ground one meter in front of oneself. The forearms do not rest on the body. The left hand is placed on the right hand while pressing their edges onto the lower abdomen. The tips of the thumbs are touching each other forming a straight line.
The mouth is closed and the tongue touches the upper palate. We breathe through the nose. The chest and abdomen are completely relaxed and opened to allow for deep breathing without blockages.
Breathing
Breathing is fundamental in zazen. It consists of concentrating on the exhalation, following it thru as in a long, deep exhale while pushing the intestines forward, a little bellow the navel. The belly inflates yet it is not necessary to force it. Then inhaling follows naturally, and again we take a deep, long, slow exhalation. Normally in daily life we are unaware of how we breathe. Here, in the balance of zazen, we experience our living bodies, not only our minds. Breathing is consciousness. First, we become aware of how we breathe, of this natural function. Everything becomes clear, the blood is purified and the mind is simplified. After that it is important to be conscious of the attitude of our mind. To be aware does not mean seeking, but to accept the state of concentration or no concentration.
The attitude of mind
Taisen Deshimaru
During zazen the attitude of the mind is to let thoughts go while concentrating on the present moment. Abandon the personal consciousness of past and future, before and after. Let go of illusions, ideas, dreams, desires and stay here and now. Mind goes from thought to no thought and from no thought to thought and does not remain in either state. We think from the depths of no thought: we think but we do not think such is the hishiryo consciousness, beyond thought.
Some thoughts disappear, others appear. Our consciousness storage empties and wears out. Balance is found in the unity of mind and body. It is neither sanran, too much brain activity, nor kontin, too much sleepiness. Shikantaza. “Shi” is the concentration on the body and mind. “Kan” is the observation of the posture and the absence or presence of thoughts. The spirit does not stay fixed on a point or concept, rather, it expands, it becomes like the wide open sky accepting everything. Unconsciously, naturally, automatically, Samadhi appears in the peace and happiness of being and the seeds of wisdom reach into our daily actions. Body and mind are one without separation. We touch the real thing.
During zazen we are not supposed to follow our personal consciousness, but to find the hishiryo consciousness. Hishiryo is a direct experience, an identity beyond words or concepts, so it cannot be expressed but can be transmitted “I shin den shin” –from my spirit to your spirit- from master to disciple.
