Many spiritual and wellness paths have flourished today in the West. Yoga, Pilates, mindfulness, sophrology, vipassana, qi gong, or even tai-chi: a profusion of choices is available to people in search of a spiritual path or personal development.
These different paths are not necessarily opposed. If they offer similarities, everyone must take stock of their expectations so as not to be quickly faced with disappointments. In particular, is the practice in which we engage intended to better adapt us to current society, or is it a true path of spiritual awakening?
Yoga, one of the most popular paths
Yoga, in an often despiritualized form, has recently experienced strong development in Europe. Yoga studios, however, more often emphasize postures (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) than the spiritual aspect.
The lotus posture
The posture of zen meditation (zazen), the heart of zen buddhism, comes from original Indian yoga.
Yoga presents the lotus posture as the most adequate meditation posture. Moreover, the Buddha adopted it, it is precisely because it was an integral part of yoga as practiced in India since long before the historical Buddha.
However, this posture does not have a central position, and it is only practiced occasionally. It is considered difficult and is reserved for advanced practitioners.
Direct or progressive approach?
Traditional yoga, such as Ashtanga yoga, offers a progressive awakening, in successive stages.
Zen buddhism, from its Chinese period to today, offers a direct approach. You enter immediately into the highest meditation, without stages, through the right posture alone. This posture is not necessarily the full lotus. More accessible variants, such as cross-legged, quarter lotus, or half-lotus, are offered to beginners.
A complementary
approach
Many practitioners of zen meditation (zazen) also practice yoga, do sports, tai-chi, qi gong or martial arts. They often engage in these complementary practices mainly for their physical dimension, so as not to scatter themselves in two spiritual paths.
For example, as a zen practitioner, one can practice yoga asanas without necessarily delving into the study of yogic texts. Regular yoga practice helps zazen enormously, and in the Kosen sangha, it is often yoga practitioners who manage to practice in full lotus!
Pilates, a more modern
yoga
Close to yoga in terms of postures (asana), Pilates is more recent (early 20th century).
The spiritual aspect is more or less obscured here, or even totally absent. It is more of a gymnastics, which, just like yoga postures, can be beneficial for the posture of zazen.
Mindfulness, mainstream meditation
Also called mindfulness
, mindfulness is a Western meditation approach with an essentially therapeutic aim. It is particularly recommended for treating stress or depression.
Although it takes root in buddhism, this movement has detached itself from it and has totally obscured the spiritual dimension.
If zen is without goal, mindfulness has a stated therapeutic objective. Not that zen meditation (zazen) does not bring benefits for physical and mental health, quite the contrary, but they are not sought for themselves. Zazen is seeing beyond one’s personal ego, so there is no longer an I
who says now I am fine
.
The attitude of mind of mindfulness is similar to that of zazen (letting thoughts pass). However, the emphasis on posture is often less there. Zen insists on a right posture of the legs, hands, back, head, gaze, which promotes calm breathing and a thought beyond thought, called hishiryo (see How to practice zen meditation (zazen)).
Mindfulness is in no way opposed to zazen. It can even be a good gateway to zazen for those who, once the therapeutic goals have been achieved, wish to engage in the exciting adventure of a profound spiritual path.
Sophrology
Like mindfulness, sophrology is a Western approach to personal development. It uses different techniques for this that come among others from various currents such as yoga or buddhism. It offers visualization, breathing, meditation and group therapy exercises.
Like mindfulness, we will therefore often have a goal, a therapeutic aim for ourselves. Here too, this practice differs from zen meditation (zazen), which is without personal goal.
Just like mindfulness, sophrology is not opposed to zazen, as evidenced by the conference of master Kosen at the 23rd sophrology congress.
Vipassana
Vipassana is a meditation practice from distinct currents of zen buddhism, such as theravada.
Unlike zen meditation (zazen), vipassana meditation is less codified, the emphasis on posture is less important there, to different degrees depending on the country and the practice center.
In a zen dojo, the emphasis is placed immediately and continuously on the right meditation posture, correct breathing, and the exact attitude of mind.
Qi gong and tai-chi
Originating in China, qi gong and tai-chi are kinds of moving meditation, where attention is focused on sequences of slow movements and breathing.
Zen also includes a moving meditation, kinhin, meditative walking between seated meditation sessions. Activity in the present moment (samu) which takes place in zen centers and during retreats, is also a meditation centered on everyday gestures.
Some zazen practitioners also practice these paths to support their spiritual practice of zen meditation (zazen). As with yoga, however, care must be taken not to scatter oneself in too many parallel paths. In itself, the practice of zazen is complete and does not require complementary practice.
A healthy lifestyle and a healthy body always promote a good meditative posture!
Image credits
- Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
- Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
- Photo by Chelsea Gates on Unsplash