The Fundamentals of Zen Practice

Helen Cortes narrates the Fundamentals of Zen Practice. This video was made possible by the donors of the MKZC Publication Fund and the support of the MKZC community.

Narrator: Helen Cortes
Producer: Helen Cortes
Director: Ramtin Nikzad
Assistant Director: Florian Habito

Practitioners:
Evan Carpenter
Helen Cortes
Florian Habito
Kristin Julian
Minoru Koi
Chris Runk
Sheila Walker

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Zen
• Practice
• Sanbo
• Kyodan
• Zazen
• Meditation
• Enlightenment
• Compassion
• Buddhism
• meditation
• Posture
• Breathing
• Stilling
• the
• Mind
• Monkey
• stillness
• peace
• serenity
• Dallas
• Breath
• Thoughts
• Zendo
• Sleep

[tuina1]

what is that accent?

[TheRecklessVoice]

What is Zen? This video vastly complicates what should not be. It gives rise to superstition, and misconception of right practice. Everything explained here can be better explained in Roshi Philip's "Three Pillars of Zen". Zen practice must be taken with special care toward Americans, because Americans think very objectively, and will mostly likely never give up that mode of thinking. Reject yourselves.

[ecstacymaster]

wonderful video!

many thanks to u.

[MarsHolst20]

Great video. I must admit, respectfully, that the student with the shoulder length dark brown hair is very beautiful.

[AJpianoUK]

@topbluffa1 I think it is the same principle as keeping your eyes half open, and keeping your back straight, even though closed eyes, and relaxed back may be more comfortable. The aim isn't to be so relaxed that you start to feel tired, but simply to be still and concentrated... just like your thoughts, the uncomfortable position is something else for you to try to ignore, or at least acknowledge, but not dwell on. The video does suggest several positions. Try whichever seems most comfortable.

[nekillo1983]

Great video,very well explained.Thank you so much for sharing.

[topbluffa1]

if i sit facing a wall i get a massive build up of tension around my eyes to the point that its unbearable and i have to face open space.

i have had to do this since i was a child if i try to sleep facing a wall it hurts.

[topbluffa1]

what i dont get is why i must put my legs under stress and sit in that way al it ever seems to do is focus my mind on my legs and the pain and then i cant concentrate.

why cant i just sit comfortable.

[greatvowvideos]

This is a really nice video. I really enjoyed the simplicity and the great quality. We are in the process of making some of our videos about traditional zen forms. Thanks for the contribution and swing by our page if you'd like to check out some of our videos as well. Just click on our user name.

[PhilosophyPBS]

thank you so much!