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Zen Meditation
Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation (Zazen) and intuition for direct, experiential awakening to one's true Buddha-nature, stripping away dogma for simple presence in the moment to achieve calm, focused awareness.
Rinzai Zen is a major school of Japanese Zen Buddhism focusing on sudden enlightenment (kensho) through rigorous, active training. Rinzai Zen emphasizes koan practice (meditation on paradoxes) to break through logical thought. It is often characterized by a direct, energetic, and sometimes austere approach to fostering immediate, experiential wisdom.
Zen is not an idea or belief. It is the moment by moment experience of the quality of your breathing, the penetrating effect of gravity on your muscles and bones, and the ways in which your senses create the world around you.
Rinzai Zen is a major school of Japanese Zen Buddhism focusing on sudden enlightenment (kensho) through rigorous, active training. Rinzai Zen emphasizes koan practice (meditation on paradoxes) to break through logical thought.
It is often characterized by a direct, energetic, and sometimes austere approach to fostering immediate, experiential wisdom.
Zen in the martial arts is the integration of meditative awareness, ethical discipline, and non-dual insight into combat training, turning fighting skills into a path of inner stillness rather than aggression. It emphasizes a calm, uncluttered mind (mushin) that responds spontaneously, with understanding gained through direct practice instead of abstract theory.
Training cultivates mindfulness and intuitive action, so attention stays fully present instead of being scattered by fear or anger. In this view, martial arts become a “way” of self-realization, where humility, self-restraint, and protection of others reflect Zen’s sense of interdependence. The same focused, relaxed awareness is meant to carry into everyday life, turning ordinary tasks and setbacks into opportunities for ongoing practice.
Tenryukan Aikido dojo offers virtual Zen meditation training, including introductory practice and explanations of the basics of Zen meditation Mondays and Thursdays at 8 pm. If you are interested, please reach out for the link.
Tenryukan Aikido Dojo is affiliated with Chosei Zen https://www.choseizen.org/ Where intensive Zen meditation experiences are provided by a compassionate and extremely able group of teachers (Roshi) teach year round.
