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Zen
Zen is the art of meditation and the art of everyday life. In general, the
Zen is the ability to be fully present and conscious at the time "here
and now" - without any thought dispersants.
Hence, some say that the Zen is very easy and simple, and others that this
is something difficult.
Although the attitude of being fully present at any given moment is the most
basic and fundamental - many people still (in each case) have a lot of
chaotic and random thoughts. Some part of their mind is in the current
situation, while another part (sometimes very large one) is in the past and
future.
Zen is release from burdens of the past and future, and is all about daring
to experience the full „here and now”. When there is only „here and
now” present, when the mind
is free from any deep obstacles, constraints and products of our past, then
there is the experience that the present is part of eternity, of infinity
– experience of the present moment is perfect and complete, and the mind
is in touch with the absolute, infinite , divine.
The feeling of failure comes from the lack of our presence. We should learn
to live more fully, we should learn to live here and now in a very deep,
satisfying and definitive way.
The art of Zen says as follows: when the painter is in the Zen state, the
whole universe paints at the end of his brush, when you play music in the
state of Zen - the entire Universe play it with you.
This metaphor expresses the very deep, full and complete opportunity to
experience the present. Everything we do in the full presence - has
unspeakeable and excellent quality. This is Zen.
History and Origin of Zen
The name "Zen" is essentially Japanese, and comes from the Chinese
word "Chan". The word "Zen" is simply the Japanese
pronunciation of the word "Chan".
The word "Chan" is the Chinese equivalent of sanscrit word
"Dhyana", which means the absorption of meditation.
For example, in the Raja-Yoga - Dhyana is the next level of practice, after
many previous degrees (like Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Pratyahara, etc.).
But Zen, takes its basis and the kernel from the Dhyana - experience of a
deep inner unity.
Zen is thus dedicated to developing Dhyana - both through meditation
training, and through such experiences as our daily lives.
The root of Zen teaching is considered to appear during Gautama Siakyamuni
(Buddha's) sermon, in which after a long silence before meeting his
disciples, he ultimately rose the top of the flower.
Then Mahakasyapa – one of most advanced disciples but just practicing in
the community - now smiled.
It is, therefore, that the master Mahakasyapa became the second (the second
after Buddha himself, or the successor to the first) Patriarch Zen line (and
more specific, direct Dhyana sciences). Twenty-eight master of Dhyana from
this line, derived from Gautama Siakyamuni- Buddha, was Bodhidharma.
This science or art of Zen Badhidharma moved to China, incorporating it to
the order of Shaolin monastery
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