ISSUE 12 | MARCH-APRIL 2025 32 Zen is a Japanese term for meditation, and while it’s practiced across all forms of Buddhism, it holds particular importance in Zen Buddhism. Zazen, a key form of meditation in this tradition, invites you to sit and observe your thoughts without attachment or judgment. Broadly speaking, there are three types of Zen practice: mindfulness of breathing, reflection on a kōan (a paradoxical statement like “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”), and Zazen, which translates to “just sitting.” The art of ‘Just Sitting’ Zazen doesn’t ask you to focus on any particular thought or idea. It’s a practice of simply sitting, appreciating the act itself. It’s about being fully present in the moment without forcing yourself elsewhere. Allow thoughts to come and go without interference, but don’t engage with them. Your only task is to sit. Eyes open to the world In Soto Zen (the largest of the three traditional sects of Zen), Zazen is practiced with the eyes open and softly focused. This is not a trivial detail—it reflects a core Zen teaching: that we are not turning inward to escape the world, but opening outward to meet it. Even if you face a Staying calm can feel increasingly difficult with constant negative news about wars, inflation, unaffordable housing, politics, and climate anxiety. However, adopting a Zen mindset can help reduce stress and bring balance, benefiting both your work and personal life. The word “zen” may evoke mysterious, new-age connotations, but it’s simply a Japanese translation of the word “ch’an,” meaning meditation. While many schools of Buddhism practice meditation in some form, Zen places an exclusive focus on it. In Zen, meditation is not just a practice; it is a path to “sudden enlightenment,” the idea that we all have the potential to achieve enlightenment in this life—it simply requires unlocking. In Zen practice, work itself is seen as an essential avenue for personal growth and awakening. By viewing work as a form of meditation and mindfulness, individuals can approach their tasks with focus, intention, and purpose. This perspective encourages full engagement, contributing meaningfully to team efforts and overall well-being. HOW A ‘JUST SITTING’ PRACTICE CAN BRING INNER PEACE Optimizing Zazen:
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