Northern Light Zen Center

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

ABOUT ZEN

1. What is Zen?

Zen takes its name from the Chinese word "ch'an" meaning meditation. Zen as we practice it today was largely shaped in Tang Dynasty China and spread from there to Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. In the 20th century, Zen teachers traveled from Asia all around the world.

Though often presented in the context of Buddhism, Zen teaches clear mind and appropriate action in each moment and does not dwell on questions of philosophy or metaphysics. As a practice, Zen meditation ushers us into complete realization of this moment: what is it?

2. What is enlightenment?

Enlightenment means being fully present and engaged in the moment; means letting go of our personal ideas, condition and situation in order to attain a clear mind, a clear view of the world around us. With a clear mind, we can act appropriately under all circumstances.

Clear, compassionate and spontaneous interaction with each moment as it arises, is already enlightenment.

3. I've heard about koans, those Zen questions like "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" What are koans?

Koans (kong-an in Korean; kung-an in Chinese) are a teaching tool a Zen teacher uses to gauge a student's clarity and cognition. Koan practice is unique to Zen training, distinguishing it from other Buddhist schools and spiritual traditions.

Neither an intellectual question demanding an erudite answer nor a tricky mind game requiring a clever, glib response, the koan provides a perspective, or perhaps lack of perspective, where teacher and student meet. By dismantling conceptual thinking and opinion, the koan elicits a clear response in the moment, revealing our true self and correct function.

Here's one to try right now: "How do you experience your Buddha nature while reading a web site?"

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ABOUT ZEN AND RELIGION

1. Do I have to be a Buddhist or become a Buddhist to practice Zen meditation?

No. While some people develop an interest in Buddhism or become Buddhist while practicing Zen, others do not. There is no religious requirement, Buddhist or otherwise, to practice Zen.

2. I already have strong religious beliefs. Will Zen conflict with my faith?

Many people tell us Zen meditation complements their religious beliefs. Others tell us they have discovered parallel teachings between Zen and their religious tradition.

From our point of view, Zen meditation does not conflict with other religious practices and other religious traditions do not interfere with Zen meditation.

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ABOUT ZEN AND FAMILY

1. How can I tell my family and friends about my interest in Zen?

Harmonious relationships lie at the heart of Zen practice. This means we share what we can of our lives with family and friends and what we cannot share, we keep and honor for ourselves.

Because each relationship and person is unique, we rely on our innate wisdom to tell us with whom we can gleefully chatter away about Zen, with whom we use neutral, everyday language such as, "I'm really enjoying my meditation group," and with whom we wisely keep silent.

Occasionally, and especially when a family member or friend already has strong religious faith and is not receptive to Buddhism or Zen, our actions may prove more important than our words. Kind and respectful behavior demonstrate Zen practice in action and lay a foundation for future meetings.

2. My partner doesn't support my Zen practice. What can I do?

Conflict in relationship is inevitable. And while kindness, patience, respect, generosity, and gentle speech can go a long way toward mitigating it, nothing can entirely eliminate conflict from any relationship.

During stressful times, listening to our partner with the same presence we cultivate on the meditation cushion can be helpful as can crackerjack negotiating skills and a willingness to compromise.

We can also consider doing things with our partner that he or she considers important. As one sangha member put it, my Zen practice right now is going to Catholic Church on Sunday with my wife.

Everyone benefits from talking about their practice from time to time with their teacher or a senior student in their group. Because your teacher knows you and your situation, this is a good question for a private interview.

3. How can I involve my children in my Zen practice?

If, when we are with our children, we are fully engaged in listening and responding to them, then we completely embody Zen practice and become the example from which our children learn. Even a child who expresses no interest in or disapproval of Zen will inevitably learn from our effort to be present in each moment and our desire to help.

Many children are naturally curious about Zen practice and spontaneously ask questions, questions which are much the same as ours, questions such as "Why do you sit there ‹ isn't it boring?" or "What is Buddha?" or "Can I try it?" A simple, honest response to these questions as they occur may be the best opportunity to share our practice with our children.

As children grow they may wish to read some of the children's books about Buddhism and meditation. There may be sangha activities such as ceremonies or social gatherings at which children are welcome or community and cultural events such as films, concerts, or art exhibits which children and young adults may enjoy.

Older children sometimes develop a religious quest of their own and, seeing our sincere efforts, may turn to us with deep questions about the nature of human life. Again, honest answers, based on our own experience, can help older children find their own way.

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ABOUT STARTING A ZEN PRACTICE

1. How can I start to practice meditation?

The most important factor in starting a Zen meditation practice is a clear, strong resolve to do it.

We invite beginners to come to seek instruction session of several other groups as well. Personal instruction ensures your form is correct and allows time for questions and answers. Visiting several groups will give you a sense of which styles of teaching and practice most resonate with you.

When you're ready to try meditating at home it's helpful to choose a place where you can be private and a time when you are unlikely to be disturbed. A folded blanket, towel, or sofa pillow can usually provide sufficient padding to make sitting comfortable. If there is nothing handy, a chair is also suitable. Try the meditations you learned at Guest Night. Don't worry about making a mistake and don't worry if you've forgotten a few details. The important thing is to try.

As they're getting started, some people like to create a home altar. A home altar can be large or small and be fashioned out of a box, shelf, table, chair - almost any flat surface. Appropriate altar items might include candles, incense, flowers, or a statue of Buddha or Kwan Yin, or items of specific significance to your meditation tradition. If you cannot find meditation supplies locally, most are readily available on-line.

Finally, we encourage everyone to practice regularly and steadily, even if only five minutes a day, rather than in spontaneous, enthusiastic spurts. Regular Zen practice can be a tremendous source of energy, wisdom, and compassion with which to meet the inevitable challenges life brings us along the Way.

2. I'm uncomfortable after a few minutes of sitting. What can I do?

The traditional meditation postures held while seated on a cushion are extremely stable, providing solid physical support for meditation practice. We strongly encourage those who can to stretch and exercise and become comfortable in them.

That being said, we also recognize that illness or injury may make holding these traditional postures very difficult, if not impossible, for some people. In this case, sitting in a chair is a reasonable alternative. We recommend a simple, armless wooden or folding chair, but any chair will do.

It is not uncommon, even among experienced meditators, for our legs or feet to fall asleep. This condition can be remedied through exercise or by adjusting or changing our sitting posture. If your legs or feet fall asleep, be careful to regain feeling before you stand up‹or you may fall and injure yourself.

Once the aches and pains of adjusting to a meditation posture clear up, we encounter the chronic tension we hold in our neck, in our jaw, in our shoulders. Working through this expression of our physical karma is an important part of practice.

It's always helpful to talk about the physical aspects of practice with our teacher or a senior student from time to time. For example, legs and feet that fall asleep can point toward a tired or dull mind, an insufficient level of energy behind our practice. This is a good question for such an interview.

3. How do I know which meditation group is right for me to join?

Joining a meditation group is always a personal decision. Only you know how the teachings of a particular tradition resonate in your heart and mind. Trust yourself and your life experience.

In addition, we suggest considering the lineage and teaching authority of the teacher as well as the demeanor and attitude of senior students in the group. We believe open-mindedness and tolerance are hallmarks of spiritual maturity. In our tradition teachings are for everyone, not just an inner circle of students or those who pay more money.

4. There is no meditation group near me, can I practice alone?

Whether in a group or alone, we always encourage people to meditate. However, every Zen student benefits from regular teaching, an on-going relationship with a teacher, and regular group practice, especially retreats.

We urge everyone, especially beginners, to find and join a group and to attend group events once in a while, even if that means driving or traveling. A teacher and group practice provide an invaluable source of support, steadiness, and inspiration.

There are many dharma and meditation groups in North America and around the world, many of which have a presence on the internet. Key search words to locate the web site of a meditation group near you are: Buddha, Buddhism, Buddhist, dharma, meditation, mindfulness, monastery, temple, vajra, Vipassana, zazen, or Zen plus your city or state name.

Lastly, if there is no meditation group in your region, consider starting one. Be the flame that lights the dharma candle in your community.

5. I have a busy job and a family so I don't have time to practice. What can I do?

Like so many questions about practice, there is no one way to integrate meditation into daily life.

Some people decide to make practice a priority and carve out a regular time to bow or chant or sit, even if it is only ten minutes a day, and even if it means rising early or staying up late if necessary. Other people make time for group practice once a week or a retreat several times a year.

But regardless of career or family obligations, everyone can practice "daily life" Zen, fully engaging in the moment of cooking a meal or brushing our teeth. Zen practice may begin on the cushion and mat, but it doesn't and shouldn't stay there. Every situation and relationship in our life whether at work or at home - is an opportunity to respond with a clear mind and open heart. What are we doing right now?

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ABOUT PRACTICING ZEN

1. I know I'm not supposed to think when I meditate, but I just can't seem to stop my mind from wandering. What's wrong?

Zen practice is not a matter of stopping, holding, keeping, fixing, or suppressing the chatter, moodiness or any other aspect of our mind.

Everyone who sits Zen meditation, from the newest beginner to the oldest Zen Master, experiences the way our attention naturally drifts - one moment we're present, one moment we're thinking about our job, one moment we're aware of the pain in our knee.

The key to Zen practice is returning our attention to the present moment as soon as we realize we have drifted away. Working against the tendency to feed one thought with another, we return calmly and without judgment to the present moment and, like pressing the "clear" function key on a calculator, begin again.

2. I don't like chanting. Do I have to chant at home?

Everybody has like-and-dislike mind. We like some things, we don't like other things. That is human nature. If we don't like brussel sprouts, that is relatively harmless. But if we don't like people of a particular religious or ethnic heritage, take out a gun and shoot them, then the whole world has a problem.

At the Zen center, we are encouraged to set aside our opinions. Whether we like it or not, during group practice we follow along with the group: we bow, we chant, we sit. This helps free ourselves to respond clearly in any situation: we can eat brussel sprouts if necessary and chant when appropriate.

At home, it's up to each of us whether and how we practice Zen each day. We do not "have to" do anything. We are free to devise a practice that suits us and our family.

3. I've been meditating for a while but I'm not making any progress and I feel like quitting. What can I do?

In a culture that places newborn infants on nursery school waiting lists and careers on the fast track, it's not surprising that we view our Zen practice in the same achievement-oriented way. As the old joke goes: "don't bother me now, I'm doing my non-doing."

Spiritual maturity means facing our limitations and difficulties squarely, not sidestepping or soaring over them. Times of frustration and conflict can be very rich and yield extraordinary fruit if approached and experienced openly without rejection or judgment.

Zen practice can help us gather our energy to make new choices in our life - it's important to stick with it, and at critical times a meditation community can offer invaluable support.

Everyone benefits from talking about their practice from time to time with their teacher or a senior student in their group. This is a good question for such an interview.