Before my experiences with Zen, I was often very irritable and felt a lot of pressure and stress from my surroundings. I now am able to relax and focus on my present activities much more readily and enjoy my days much more.
I still have a complete inability to practice Zazen or meditation (including the ones we do in class). I just have too much energy in my system to do physically nothing for an extended period of time. I have spent some time wondering why I can t fully enjoy meditation and haven t really come up with an answer for it yet.
Until one can focus properly for meditation and zazen, it can be argued that they have not fully been connected to Zen, or any other Eastern philosophy for that matter. I have read and been told on several occasions, that enlightenment and wisdom usually arrive during meditation. This makes me realize that I am missing something due to my inability to meditate.
This is unfortunate but I am not discouraged. I will be able to meditate when I will be able to meditate and if I will never be able to meditate, well, then that s alright too Just as long as I can break bricks over my head.
Connection between Zen and Metaphysics
The connection between Zen and Metaphysics is that both have the same goals. They are concerned with studying the underlying nature of things. Both, Zen and metaphysics focus on self-discipline, meditation, and attainment of enlightenment through direct intuitive insight.
Both Zen and Metaphysics recognize the importance of reality and both see reality as being the world as it is, unaffected by thought.
They are most similar in their goal to expand the consciousness of the mind through meditation. Meditation is an integral part to the study of both Zen and Metaphysics and is used by both to attain wisdom and enlightenment.
Bibliography
1. Crompton, Paul. Walking Meditation. Rockport, Massachusetts: Element Books, 1996.
2. Deshimaru, Taisen. The Zen Way to Martial Arts. United States of America: Penguin books, 1982
3. Hyams, Joe. Zen in the Martial Arts. New York: Penguin putnam, 979
4. Louret, Frederick. The Way and the Power. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press,1987
5. Nishino, Kozo. The Breath of Life. Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International Tokyo, 1996
6. Pirsig, Robert. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. New York: Bantam Books, 1984
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
History .. . . 2
Meditation .. 4
Zazen .. 5
Breathing 7
Attitude of Mind 7
Koans . 8
Personal Experience … 9
Connection between Zen and Metaphysics .. 12
End Notes . 13
Bibliography 14
Endnotes
1. Taisen Deshimaru, The Zen Way to Martial Arts, p6.
2. Frederick Louret, The Way and the Power, p11.
3. Kozo Nishino, The Breath of Life, p34.
4. Paul Crompton, Walking Meditation, p13.
5. Paul Crompton, Walking Meditation, p14.
6. Frederick Louret, The Way and the Power, p85.
7. Kozo Nishino, The Breath of Life, p65-66.
8. Taisen Deshimaru, The Zen Way to Martial Arts, p57.
9. Kozo Nishino, The Breath of Life, p.71.
10. Kozo Nishino, The Breath of Life, p.58.
11. Kozo Nishino, The Breath of Life, p59.
12. Frederick Louret, The Way and the Power, p78.
13. Frederick Louret, The Way and the Power, p114
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