Question
Hello,
A few years ago, when I was introduced to zazen, the importance of abdominal breathing was mentioned in such a way that I began breathing almost exclusively with my abdomen, especially during meditation. This resulted in discomfort around the solar plexus, which did not particularly strike me at the time but which I have become much more aware of over time.
Reading a book by Itsuo Tsuda, I came across the term zembyo and mention of a Rinzai Zen exercise:
"Many Zen monks have experienced 'zembyo,' Zen sickness, characterized by cerebral congestion, stiffening of the body, and so on. Thus Hakuin (1685–1768), a great Rinzai Zen monk, advocated a method for relieving cerebral congestion."
After a little research, I recognize myself in many descriptions of zembyo—though far from cerebral hemorrhage—but I have found no exercises or suggestions concerning it.
Do you have any advice for rebalancing my breathing and releasing my solar plexus?
Sylvain
Sylvain108
Answer from Master Kosen
Breathing is the simplest and most powerful act there is.
Every inhalation brings an influx of cosmic energy, while every exhalation releases our tensions, disperses doubts, and grounds body and mind.
Kosen