| Zen
The classic symbol for Zen is the enso (円相). It is known as the circle of enlightenment. It refers to the way of Zen as a circle of vast space, lacking nothing, and nothing in excess. At first glance the ancient enso zen symbol appears to be nothing more than a circle. But it's symbolism refers to the beginning and end of all things, the circle of life, and the connectedness of existence.
It is said that in the hands of a Zen master the power of the enso symbol for Zen is released, helping those who meditate upon it to reach a higher level of consciousness. It is used as a symbol of enlightenment. Zen masters often brush paint an enso for their student to meditate upon. The quality of the brushwork is said to reveal the depth of the master's enlightenment.
There are two common symbol for zen enso's. One is a brushstroke of a closed circle. The closed circle represents the totality of experience and life. The other is a brushstroke of a circle with one small opening. The open circle represents the imperfection found in all things, and suggests to the student to stop striving for perfection and instead to allow the universe to be as it is.
The open circle is a concept that reflects closely with Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Japanese concept of wabi sabi is that all things are perfect as they are. An analogy is a peasant's jar, mishapen, chipped and worn through years of daily use. Although it may not be as pleasing visually as a pristine carefully crafted jar, it is said to stimulate the mind and emotions, stimulate the spirit of a person to contemplate the essence of reality. As with everything related to Zen, there is a beautiful simplicity to the traditional enso, both the open and closed versions.
Zen is Japanese for "meditation." People who practice Zen Buddhism believe all people can achieve enlightenment but are simply blind to the fact.
A great emphasis is placed on meditation to help a person awaken to a pure seeing of the true nature of everything. Zen Buddhists think enlightenment is a far-reaching goal but can be gained through Satori (meditation in moments of insight). While other schools of Buddhism place almost all learning from reading and contemplating ancient texts, Zen practitioners learn from the individual practice of understanding one's true nature.
Meditation is an altered state of consciousness which removes distraction and allows a person clarity and awareness. Beginning with ancient man, the practice of meditation spread throughout the world and evolved into many different forms.
The first known use of meditation took place 15,000 years ago with hunter-gatherers. Cave paintings have been found showing people lying on the ground in a meditative state. These people are believed to be shamans who most likely were in trance to ask the spirits for help when they hunted animals for food.
Indian Meditation
The earliest recorded writings about meditation occurred in India about 5,000 years ago. They appear in the Vedas, (Books of Knowledge,) which are sacred Indian scriptures. The Vedric priests would chant and perform many rituals. In time, they moved away from the rituals to concentrate on a more spiritual connection.
Buddha And Meditation
During the 6th century BC, Hindu Prince Siddharta Gautama was happy and wealthy. Although he was happy, he learned that not everyone else was satisfied with life. One day he sat down under a tree, folded his legs and began to look deep into his mind. After seven days of meditation, he awoke with new found knowledge.
He became known as Buddha. Buddha had learned how to quiet his inner thoughts and develop a strong form of concentration. Buddhism began to spread and the religion and practices of meditation eventually made its way to China and Tibet.
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