Zen Meditation

The Japanese word zen means meditation. The word originates from the Chinese ch’an, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word dhyana. For a Buddhist, meditation is a way to achieve satori, enlightenment, an awakened mind, and a spiritual experience.

The word 'emptiness' is often used to describe the meditator's consciousness, but it is a poor and misleading word. To be empty is to reach fullness, as stated in one of Buddhism's ancient texts. The extinguishing of the self before a greater reality.

There are different methods to reach the state of consciousness where one looks into their own nature, stops their thoughts, and doesn't even think about not thinking. One can focus on their breathing or on a mantra. One can simply sit still.

During zazen, Zen meditation, we simply sit still. In this way, our ego has no expression because it always wants to be related to something. When we learn to be still, the ego falls away and the true self dominates.