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Four Part Zen Meditation Series

Four Part Zen Meditation Series

Zen Meditation Series

In a discussion with students over dinner, Doron offers guidance on Zen meditation. These conversations address the many problems people face. At first, building a personal meditation practice is difficult! Each section offers ideas on finding ways to connect with meditation.

Zen Meditation Series

 

Part One

Doron addresses one student’s issues with quieting the mind. Although he tries to stop thinking, he finds his mind creating stories. With this in mind, Doron explains why it’s important to let go of such thoughts. He also offers some insight on the struggle of having a quiet mind in today’s world. Learn different techniques for creating focus, such as counting the breath. Such methods are like this are especially helpful training for quieting the mind during zen meditation.

 

Themes 

    • Quieting the mind
    • Letting go of stories
    • Using focus as a tool
    • Diligence in the practice

 

Part Two

Doron explains ways to avoid falling asleep during meditation. During meditation, it’s important to soften the mind to create genuine space and silence. Expanding on this, he explains “the art of non-labeling”. This is experiencing the world without the burden of narrative or titles. Through keeping the mind quiet both during meditation and daily activities, you’ll experience a deeper experience of the world around you.

 

Themes 

    • How not to fall asleep during meditation
    • Intensity in your mind
    • How to soften
    • Dropping into emptiness
    • Benefits of silence
    • “The Art of Non-Labeling”
    • Experiencing without using the mind

 

Part Three

Doron talks about meditation and motivation. Unlike yoga asana practice, you can’t see someone else’s experience. As a result, you must trust meditation teachers when they describe the benefits and depth of their experience. In this way, motivation to meditate must ultimately come from within.

 

Themes 

    • Imagining nothing
    • How do you know if people are meditating?
    • Mind being afraid of shutting down
    • Moment of being so impressed by something that we are not separate from it
    • Experience vs thought
    • Fasting from food and noise, cleansing the body and mind
    • Softening

 

Part Four

In the final section, Doron is asked how to find motivation to meditate when you feel stuck. While this is difficult, it’s important to let go of the idea of “getting better” at meditation. Regular meditation practice slowly makes small positive differences in our daily life. It changes the way how we think and how we see ourselves. Meditation should be practiced constantly in our everyday life, not just while sitting in a class. Instead, we can practice awareness in everything we do. While eating, walking, writing and more.

 

Themes 

    • Finding motivation for meditation
    • Meditation in everyday tasks
    • Transformations in your everyday life
    • Trying not to put goals, competition or pressure on your meditation
    • Trusting that you are not what your mind tells that you are
    • What is your consciousness when you stop thinking?
    • Experiencing yourself beyond the mind
    • Liberation of freeing the mind
    • Mind over matter

 

 

Share the Series

Which part of this series was your favorite?

Leave us a comment below, we love discussion! Share the series with a friend who is interested in Zen or meditation. you can start your own discussion with them too!

If you’re interested in learning more about Zen and the mind, come visit the Doron Yoga & Zen Center and make sure to check out our upcoming retreat dates.

To read more on meditation practice, have a look at the Doron Yoga Manual.


Some Toughts (6)

  1. added on 24 Jan, 2019
    Reply

    Very nice! This motivated me to meditate both at designated times and be more focused and intentional in general.
    Thanks!
    Gil

  2. Yossi Hanoch
    added on 14 Feb, 2019
    Reply

    Thank you, loved it. You motivated me and I learned so much, really amazing!

  3. Kinga Szabo
    added on 19 Jul, 2019
    Reply

    I’m going to listen to these a few more times, I’m struggling to keep consistency. This is very helpful thanks for sharing!!

  4. Reply

    […] the Zen tradition, it is called Gassho, A union of opposites, there is no more left and right, but just […]

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    […] Thank you to Lynelle Sigona for sharing these insights with us. This article was written as part of her teacher training contemplation with Doron. For more insights into meditation, check out our four part Zen Meditation podcast series here. […]

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    […] Meditation was the first option offered.  Meditation is simply training the mind. Sitting still, doing nothing, allowing the awareness to drop to the belly as we follow the breath, in and out, in and out… […]

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