Zen Man Walking

This is one of the Pics that was taken by a disciple about the time that Zen Man Walking was coming into being.

This was a ceremony by root teacher and I preformed where we chanted the Hannyashingyo for an incoming dignitary to the Japanese Community.

Moving meditations have always been a part of our practice, indeed a part of our heritage. But over the last decade or so we have allowed the practice to be a central theme of life at Jizo-an.

But in actuality the name Zen Man Walking was simply because I was a Zen Man that liked to walk.

My root teacher teaches us kyudo, Japanese Zen Archery, as one of our primary practices (along with seated meditation, chanting, calligraphy, and other Japanese Traditional Arts that he exposes us to). He told me long ago that kyudo was the only exercise we need; if we relax and open ourselves the proper way, chemicals flow muscles are both used and stretch out, breathing, heartbeat, and bone all synchronize... very very healthy practice. He was healthy, so I followed his lead. Then I discovered that he took a walk every day; and decided it best to follow him in this practice too.

We formed a Zen Walking group, and started walking after kyudo practice together; got a dog who needs a daily walk... and Zen Man Walking was born.

The evolution to being such a strong part of life at Jizo-an is, like all the other aspect of my life... just an amazing evolution of relationships and events that simply 'blow me away'. Thank you all for being a part of Jizo-an and Zen Man Walking.

-jyozen-

Zen in Daily Life, Zen in Motion, not being separate from zazen.

Zen in Daily Life, Zen in Motion, not being separate from zazen.

We have a practice at Jizo-an  of 動く瞑想 Ugoku Meisō Moving Meditation.
This steps from the truth that zazen (seated meditation) is not separate from daily life.
Our seated meditation practice is simply part of what we do each day, along with mindful living.
Mindful of others, and mindful or our place in the world.

Simply put, we care.

Ugoku meiso includes the standard kinhin or walking meditation we do between sittings. It also includes the yoga we do, the budo (martial arts) we do, and the geido (or traditional arts) that are included in our activities at Jizo-an. These can be great bridges between our zazen and our daily life. But in truth there is no separation. These are just the things that we do.

We call them awakened behaviors. For this is what we choose to make our life up with... Awakened behaviors. Behaviors that enrich or lives and those around us in so many ways that it is not possible to count; but the enrichment is not the point. The point is simply to engage ourselves into a life of ugoku meiso, because this is how awakened ones live.

Now these particular ones we chose were ours to choose. The ones that others choose are theirs. but to live the life of ugoku meiso is a wonderful way to live for us. Choose your life as you see fit, please choose wisely.

-jyozen-