From Chaos to Clarity: The Zen Way To Enlightenment
The word Zen comes from the Sanskrit term dhyana, which means
meditation
.
Zen Buddhism emphasises direct experience and intuitive understanding
rather than relying solely on scripture or intellectual knowledge.
Its practitioners seek to awaken to the true nature of reality through
meditation and mindfulness.
Zen teachings often employ paradoxical language and methods to
challenge conceptual thinking and invite direct insight into the nature of
existence.
Zen made significant inroads into Western consciousness in the late 19th
and early 20th century, largely due to the work of D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966),
a Japanese author and translator.
c Suzuki's writings on Zen Buddhism, as well as his translations of crucial
c Zen texts, had a profound influence on Western intellectuals and artists.
During the mid-20th century, there was an increasing number of Zen
teachers arriving in the West from Japan and Korea, contributing to Zen's
spread by establishing communities and meditation centres
.
This period also witnessed a surge of interest in Eastern philosophy and
spirituality, partly because of countercultural movements such as the Beat
Generation.
Zen Buddhism's influences can be seen across many facets of Western
culture, from psychology and mindfulness practices to arts and literature.
But …
What is Zen?
How is it practised?
cAnd, what exactly is the enlightened state that it is said that it leads to?
#zen #buddhism
Script: Matt Mackane
Voiceover: Andrea Giordani
Edit: Vaibhav
Original Score: Epidemic music & Original score
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Zen and Stoicism both seek inner peace and acceptance of life's impermanence. I love both philosophies. "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." - Epictetus
I've practiced zen for 48 years from a neuroscience perspective. To understand the ripples in the pool, they are thoughts, emotions, desires, pain, etc. The true you... is what observes the ripples on the pond. Express more succinctly...you are not your thoughts (ripples). Best Wishes 🙏
If you are seeing this I'm constantly deluded by my thoughts it's getting crazy livin' mostly in imagination
@avish01 i think you only thinking about others more then what is really happens to you and it’s normal to bare the environment another way then normal peoples. Try to feel the pain and don’t run away from your perspective. Search for yourself is normal but you know, what are you doing right now is only overthinking. Be sure about that, you will find your way. Best of luck for all overthinking public in the world.
Thank you
Can I ask you from a neuroscience prospective what is the definition of the observer?
@@movsthemarket He will never answer your question because he does not know. I can answer your question from the neuroscience point of view. The observer is made of 86 billion neurons and zillions of electrical and chemical links in permanent rearrangement. This mass of cells has its own genetic programming, that changes every second to adapt to circumstances and is endowed with brain plasticity with the basic function of survival and reproduction. Your ego, or personality is a creation of the 86 billion neurons, to be able to survive and reproduce. Do a little experiment, to clarify the issue. Go in front of a full-sized mirror, tap your cranium softly, and ask out loud ¨Hello!, hello! somebody home!?¨ If you hear or think of an answer it is not the observer. But if an old granny called Nothingness Magic responds, then you will know who the observer is. Satisfy?
Zen is my way in life. The deepest appreciation of life. My best friend is an old oak tree by a medieval church where I sit in lotus under its strong branches and beautiful leaves with its safe trunk as a back support. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind is my music. My own Bodhgaya Bodhi Tree. When I sit there I think; "I was born for this. This is the meaning of life". I also live the minimalist lifestyle. I own few things. Zen is my everything. Many videos like this exist, but this one was really good. Beautiful and nice pictures. Zen is simple, profound and poetic. But discipline is required. Zen is not for everyone.
🙏🏻
When you meet someone in Zen who is clearly awakened....then you can trust your Zen instructor. I've met thousands of Zen practitioners/instructors and non are awakend(nor am I). I've gotten rid of Zen masters and now follow neuroscience. It's far more effective unless you find a neuroscientist who teaches Zen Best wishes to you🙏
@@Nooneself I think that's a very good approach. Have you read James H. Austin? Particularly his book: "Zen & the Brain." A neuroscientist who is also a zen practitioner of 50 plus years.
@@Nooneself I find your answer interesting, but what do you mean in practical terms? How to follow neuroscience to live more creatively, meaningfully and present? Are there any practical methods? How can one have neuroscience as a system and practical philosophy throughout life?
It's not my way... no such thing as "my"
Keeping a beginners mind is like returning to your childhood in a way because as a child your mind was able to see things that adults cannot. Always having to return to enlightenment through the act of meditation, is like rebirth, because these bodies are so distracting, we much keep ourselves in practice to return to enlightenment each day.
When you meet someone in Zen who is clearly awakened....then you can trust your Zen instructor. I've met thousands of Zen practitioners/instructors and non are awakend(nor am I). I've gotten rid of Zen masters and now follow neuroscience. It's far more effective unless you find a neuroscientist who teaches Zen Best wishes to you🙏
@@Nooneself Good riddance!
Human beings are amazing..even ZEN has so many ways to be...so many schools for 1 state of being.
Maybe. We have no objective means of verifying if it's one state, or many, many, unique states. Duality lies. Our senses lie. In what can be found truth? Not in this, not in that. Everyone can lead a full and balanced life. Each spoke in a wheel is important. A path is formed by treading it.
I really love this narrator's voice! Is it possible for this channel to consider keeping her as the Default narrator for all videos? Her voice accurately depicts the mysterious and bewitching content this channel has.
As someone who’s been practicing Buddhism for 3 years I stumbled upon this Chanel and it’s taught me so much. Thank you.
It’s a WONDERFUL channel innit? ❤
I too stumbled onto this page. Namo Buddhay.
it literally changed my life
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” - T.S. Eliot❤
I wish someone had told me that as a child. It was the thought that I needed to find freedom.
Meditation makes you more at peace It helps alot with depression just letting all things go
The Zen Teachings of Huang Po has provided me with guidance along the Way. At-One-Ment. Being, Consciousness, Bliss. For the westerner try Instant Zen. Good luck.
When you meet someone in Zen who is clearly awakened....then you can trust your Zen instructor. I've met thousands of Zen practitioners/instructors and non are awakend(nor am I). I've gotten rid of Zen masters and now follow neuroscience. It's far more effective unless you find a neuroscientist who teaches Zen Best wishes to you🙏
Thank you.
One of the shrine rooms shown was a temple I spent many evenings in doing meditation. A small temple not far from the Mekong in a small town. Was surprised and overjoyed to see it. Thank you.
Thank you
Without (pure conscious) awareness, there is no Zen. 😊🙏🙇♂️🌷
Stunning vid with awesome content. Very well researched and beautifully narrated; a Zen rendition in itself. Thank you very much from South Africa. Meditation is my way of life.
This is beautiful, thank you ❤
Thank you for the excellent information 🎉❤❤❤
Thank you for this teaching
"This is a very soulful and a peaceful story. Thank you"
Can't wait for mindfulness it seems hard but I know its not thanks so much deep
Another great video. I find it interesting that Alan Watts thought practice was required for understanding Zen, while he himself rejected meditation practice.
Yet when you listen to him, you realize he figured it out, he was enlightened. I think he achieved that kind of sudden enlightenment we hear in the zen stories. But at the same time he used to drink and lived quite a crazy, undisciplined life. A real rascal. A man of the 60’s.
We are all sleeping right now and dreaming that we are alive. But we will wake up...one by one...
World Peace. One Piece at a time
Whirled peas?
Will be a long time from that
🙏🙏🙏
💙🙏💙
Zen is not dependent on how long a person practices to 'attain' it. It depends on the self realization 💥 of the very root principle of objects & phenomena ie Dharma Laksana! 😊🙏🙇♂️🌷
😊😊🌹🌹🌻🌻🙏🙏
Please make video on Kaal chakra and Shambhala.
🙏💜🌸💜🙏
I love the artwork you’re channel features 👌🏻🤓🙏🏻
I came to Zen by osho it's amazing ❤️
🙏🏽✨❤️☸️📿
What a similarity with Advaita Vedanta
I endorse this video in my function as abbot of a Rinzai Zen Temple called Gokanji. (The Temple of the Five Senses). Being poor and destitute, I am the proud owner of a large yacht. The hull is made out of ancient sutras and Zen teachings, the sails are made of knowledge and understanding, and the winds of wisdom blow me to the infinitude of the universe. There is no skipper. My crew is composed of Gautama Buddha (First Mate), Bodhidharma (Second Mate), Hui Neng, Ikkyu, Ryokan, Rinzai, and many others of the same stature. All in my ¨Imachination¨. Then, who imagines? The ignorant will answer ME! And I will laugh wholeheartedly thinking of the 86 billion cells that conform his brain. Nobody home folks, nobody home! hence the magic. If you want to have a ride of such magnitude, think, compare, use inference and deduction, study, and practice with fervent enthusiasm without even thinking of receiving a reward. Perhaps if your number in the Universe lottery ticket is LUCKY!, you would be awarded a yacht like mine.
Why was the temple called five senses when Buddhism have six? The mind
@@Awperan I don´t care what Buddhism says. Buddhism is my peanut butter, and Buddha feeds me in the mouth like an old good servant. I am free of fetters and I count as I wish. Any problems?
Thanks. I was doom scrolling and i remembered that Internet was bigger than instagram.
I found Zen practicing Tai Chi Ch'uan.
When you meet someone in Zen who is clearly awakened....then you can trust your Zen instructor. I've met thousands of Zen practitioners/instructors and non are awakend(nor am I). I've gotten rid of Zen masters and now follow neuroscience. It's far more effective unless you find a neuroscientist who teaches Zen Best wishes to you🙏
P r o m o s m 🌸
you are a temporary disturbance
Nam myoho renge kyo
Om Namah Shivaya.
The founder of Nichiren Buddhism was harshly critical of Zen and all other schools different from the one the founded.
If we are all already enlightened, why going through all effort of shaving your head bald and doing all disciplines and restrictions of a monk?
Because there is still ignorance in the mind. Our true nature is always there, in front of us. In plain sight. But we mistake our personas to be ourselves. To undo this stream of ignorance, intense concentration is required, and sometimes monkhood can be useful. The root of attachment/ignorance is desire. Once you renounce the world, you renounce your attachments as well. This is the meaning of Asangoham, "I'm not that" I'm not my mind, body, desires, thoughts. I'm something which is not an object to me. It can never be conceived in the mind, as it is me.
@@sidhantsharma9961 so enlightenment contains ignorance and mistakes?
@@ericgouw Enlightenment is non-dual. Where ignorance and knowledge hold no separation. Like I mentioned earlier, when you think, you automatically enter the realm of duality. So you cannot grasp enlightenment that way.
@@sidhantsharma9961 sorry I'm just trying to understand. So enlightenment is another state, which we are not in it, as we are in the duality of the mind. So I understand that the monks do an effort of correcting the mind so they become more enlightened? Because the video says we all are already enlightened (according to some zen master). If so, seems like the effort of the monks is to become "more monks", reinforcing a "monk-ego", that is ultimately an ego, which I understand is opposite to enlightenment. Or am I wrong?
@@ericgouw Nope, enlightenment is not a state. Because a state would again suggest duality. You can't comprehend enlightenment with your mind. You can't conceptualize it either. This is where language falls. What monks do is create a favourable environment to see through the illusion of duality. Duality is just that, an illusion. It has no intrinsic existence. Hence its unreal
I am getting the impression that you used AI to help create this video. If that is accurate please don’t do that in the future. You come up with great content on your own and I appreciate your creativity and energy that come through in the videos.
Yes, some of the images were AI-generated, and we perceive no harm in utilizing this approach. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that all our scripts and voice-overs are done by humans.
What does it matter? The message of zen is being missed with such judgements and preferences.