The word "Zen" often conjures up thoughts of peace and calm, serenity and stillness -- a time or state of mind in which one is completely relaxed and at ease. However, what few realize is that Zen is actually a form of Mahāyāna Buddhism that emerged in China in the sixth century A.D. and was derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word "Ch'an." One of the most well-known schools of Buddhism in America, Zen's origins can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "Dhyana," which means "meditation."
The basis of Zen Buddhism is a focus on attaining enlightenment through meditation and intuition, rather than the study of scriptures, faith and religious rites. Characterized by an intense mental discipline, sense of calm and extreme effort, this unique form of Buddhism is deeply rooted in the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama -- the historical Buddha -- and is considered to be more a way of life than a temporary state of consciousness.
Though Zen Buddhism and meditation have existed in the Far East for centuries, they have only recently begun to enjoy popularity in the Western world. The United States' occupation of Japan during and after World War II exposed an assortment of military personnel to the Buddhist practices, which some of them introduced to Americans following their return. As the awareness of Zen Buddhism grew, so, too, did a respect and appreciation for its teachings, and it began to slowly permeate American society in the 1950s and 1960s.
At the heart of Zen Buddhism is its emphasis on intense meditation, defined as a devotional exercise in which the practitioner induces a mood of contemplation and reflection in order to obtain some benefit of the mind. A core aspect of Zen Buddhism is sitting meditation -- or "zazen" in Japanese -- during which practitioners assume the lotus position and begin to regulate the mind and its thoughts through an intense concentration on breathing. The ultimate goal for those practicing Zen Buddhism and meditation is to experience "satori" -- enlightenment -- which is a sudden awakening to a person's true nature of peace, inner joy and self-awareness.
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