Zen: Zen Buddhism and the Zen Lifestyle

This eBook will provide you with a brief background on Zen Buddhism, with information on it's history, meditations, and a guide to living the Zen lifestyle. Excerpt from the Book: Zen is essentially the art of being in the here and now, letting moments pass you without holding onto them, and it's a practice that is most beneficial when practiced daily. It's suggested that you plan out a schedule everyday to set aside time for meditation and possibly time to recite vows or chants, and read sutras. At first it may be difficult to do but, with practice, a set schedule, and this guide you will be able to embark smoothly on your journey through Zen teachings. You are encouraged to include as many parts of a Zen life as your schedule and living circumstances permit. Many find it tempting to only practice some aspects, especially meditations, since they think this is the key to a Zen life. There is no key. You will find that there are several varying ways to practice; however, like a potter's wheel that becomes unbalanced the goal is to restore balance and since this potter wheel is yours, you decide what a balanced life looks like. [...] The art of living a Zen life is in its daily practice but, don't get discouraged if you aren't “progressing”. Words are just place holders for ideas and thoughts and progress is hardly something measured by a few facts—if it can be measured at all. So, remember, practicing meditation is an aid to centering your life, preventing it from coming out of balance, and is much less a race or linear progression where you can fail. In a race you may fail for lack of talent and training but the same is not true for meditation. In zazen, the only “fail” is in not trying—not a lack of skill or strength. [...] Accept things. Change happens and it's part of what it is called life. Accept what is happening. The reality is that you control very little, and when you stop to think about it, you control less than what you thought you thought you controlled. Alongside the idea of acceptance is the idea of non-judgment. What you think one thing means may not be what it means. People are much more receptive to those who ask questions than those who assume. Please purchase the eBook to read the full guide.