Here’s How A Month Of Zen Meditation Changed My Life
 Here’s How A Month Of Zen Meditation Changed My Life [Photo: Flickr user
were also a handful of Buddhist monks actively engaged in Zen meditation. While meditating, these robed monks seemed impervious
That’s the day I first became interested in Zen meditation. It was the day I realized that it
studies have shown that meditation like the kind practiced in Zen Buddhism can do everything from ease anxiety and stress to
me write an article on my personal findings of trying Zen meditation, provided I try it for a month.
 Specifically, I did zaZen meditation, which is the most traditional form. This
resting outwards on the knees). In zaZen, posture is critical because it aligns your body and
 Breathing is perhaps the most important thing with zaZen–it’s also one of the most difficult
. A terrific overview of how to do zaZen can be found on Zen-Buddhism.net,
be the reason for the psychological and physical benefits of Zen meditation mentioned in the studies above. advertisement
 and still here’s what happened on my Zen journey.
the start of my journey, trying to be Zen just made me cranky for a number of reasons.
 dimmed the lights, and even sat zaZen.
 While this set the stage for Zen meditation, when I actually closed my eyes and concentrated
of your thoughts is one of the main goals of Zen meditation. The more I forcefully tried to let go
 and rather ironically, my first attempts at Zen meditation made me more stressed and anxious than I usually
increased anxiety and doubts about my ability to “be Zen” is normal for beginners, according to Dan Tricarico
 a high school English teacher and author of The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in
 the Classroom. “The irony of Zen, meditation, and mindfulness is Western society’s
’ when the entire point of mindfulness, Zen, and meditation is that the duality of ‘
He points out that one of the biggest misconceptions about Zen meditation is that the meditator isn’t allowed to
“We can’t stop our thoughts. Zen meditation simply helps us notice the thoughts without attaching to
but with practice, the relaxation you feel from Zen meditation stays around without you nodding off—until you
Improved Contrary to my increased crankiness when I first started Zen meditation, by the last week I noticed I was
a desired outcome that doesn’t arise. Zen meditation, says Tricarico, offers you a sense of
 After my four-week journey through Zen meditation, I’m a believer in its benefits
though I dedicated 30 minutes a day to meditation zaZen style—just like the business woman in Kyoto—
’s no right or wrong way to “do Zen.” advertisement
less important than people realize. You can do Zen meditation sitting, standing, or laying in bed;
the office or in the car or at a dedicated Zen meditation center. “One of my most 
place to start. Even if you sit zaZen for an hour twice a day, a quick five