Soto Zen

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Hi Fellow Buddhists!

I've been wanting to share this way of meditation for quite a while now. Sorry I only just got round to it! I learnt it through one of the masters of the Soto Zen tradition, but actually it could come from any tradition, in that in many ways it represents the essence of Buddhist meditation. It's basically just sitting being the Buddha. What could be easier!

I have always grappled with mindfulness of the breath, counting one to ten. It always seemed much too technique orientated for my liking, and somehow I always managed to end up all knotted up. In fact, it was too much like hard work. And in my opinion true meditation is not hard work, but is in fact the most relaxed, natural and fulfilling experience imaginable. So what was I doing wrong?

Well, I think a lot of the problem is techniques. They are almost by definition not the real thing. They just help prepare you for true meditation, which must involve direct experience of the Dharmakaya or Buddha Nature. That's why for me sitting being the Buddha will always be high on my list of "techniques", precisely because it isn't a technique.

One simply sits and imagines oneself as the Buddha, sitting here and now. There may be just a loose awareness of the breathing, but certainly not a mechanical counting one to ten. One let's thoughts and images rise, fall, come and go, and simply sits through them all as a fully aware Buddha. One's mind should be relaxed and naturally open embracing everything, not narrowly focused on the tip of your nose or navel or somewhere. And the more you do it the easier it becomes. In fact, it's your natural state!

I hope you find time to try this, because I can guarantee you that it will help progress your meditation.

Happy Meditation,
Robert