According to author, Arjun Singhe, it’s difficult to merely close your eyes to make the stress of living go away. But, he says, you can find peace to help you better cope with it. In his article, Things you should know about Zen Meditation*, Singhe describes some basic Zen techniques for managing stress.

Zen meditation, referred to as the study of the self, involves sitting in various postures to help bring the mind and body to a peaceful and stable condition. While your heart rate slows down, you focus on images and thoughts that come to you. You do this, Singhe says, until you reach a reflective state of meditation.

I sometimes add these techniques in my own practice, and at odd moments during the day when I can at least do some of the breath work. I also found them to be helpful while on line or waiting for important news, as well as when I formally practice Zen with hatha yoga poses and other meditation exercises.

I recommend you try them yourself, if you haven’t already, whenever your mind might tend to wander and lead you to anxiety-provoking thoughts. If you are lead to take a class you can then, under the direction of a teacher, become familiar enough with the practice to turn to it on your own and allow it to support you during times of any major life stress.

Products that combine the best of technology and benefits of biofeedback and meditation can be immediately helpful in such times, and I recommend them as an adjunct to meditation and not necessarily a replacement. One is the Zen Master Light & Sound Mind Machine & CD Player Relaxation System.

But the Buddha’s pure Zen teaching itself has always been my passion. You can begin by reading the descriptions of the sitting postures and breathing techniques of Zen in the full article by Mr. Singhe, here.

If you choose to learn more about Zen as taught by Gautama Buddha, I highly recommend that you also ground yourself in the timeless teachings of the Buddha himself: the Majjhima Nikaya. I recommend an authentic and elegant translation of the ancient Pali literature into English by Nanamoli, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya (Teachings of the Buddha). The Majjhima Nikaya is the second volume of the Sutta Pitaka which is considered the foundation of Buddha’s teaching. This book on that Pali Canon speaks of the nature of Nirvana and the Four Noble Truths, and is considered by scholars to be the most reliable source for the original teachings of the historical Buddha.

* Singhe, Arjun. (2008, February 10). Things You Should Know About Zen Meditation The Free Library. (2008). Retrieved March 04, 2008 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Things You Should Know About Zen Meditation-a01073854674Please note that Mr. Singhe’s article has been referenced in this blog, subject to these terms.