Mainstream meditation practice is slowly becoming unified
into several distinct traditions largely based on ancient Buddhist practice.
The three major categories are: 1.) meditation based on
Vipassana, a Theravada Buddhist practice; 2.) meditation based on Zen Buddhism
from Japan; 3.) assorted, mottled meditative practices based on several
traditions, including modern science and western religions. Looking closely,
two of these categories might be classified as more visible and accepted
whereas the third category, Vipassana, is still relatively fringe in popular
culture, although popular amongst the masses who are interested in meditation
broadly.
Meditation based on the smorgasbord of practices might be
closely aligned with this modern Western sense of spirituality without a God or
gods. That leaves us with meditation based on Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism, like
most Japanese cultural practices, is one of the cleanest and streamlined of
spiritual practices in the world since it emphasizes a carefully orchestrated
symphony of actions that are to be repeated ad infinitum.
A Description of Zen
Zen Buddhist meditation is three-fold. First, there is a
period of chanting, usually the Heart Sutra. This chanting is usually
accompanied by a beating of a drum if one is practicing meditation at a temple.
Next, there is sitting meditation for approximately 30 minutes. In this
meditation, one’s eyes are open, contrary to popular belief, and focused on a
singular point ahead.
The Zen master will walk row-by-row helping students to
adjust their posture, making sure that the back is straight, neck aligned, and
eyes open. Lastly, the third facet of Zen meditation is walking meditation.
This is a simple, quiet walk around the room, the temple, or another place.
Hands are generally folder and the steps are short. After 30 minutes of
walking, students may proceed back to sitting meditation, called Zazen.
Depending on how long the meditation session lasts, a practitioner will
alternate between sitting and walking meditations.
