Introduction to Zen Training: A Physical Approach to Meditation and Mind-Body Training (The Classic Rinzai Zen Manual)

Description

Introduction to Zen Training is a translation of the Sanzen Nyumon, a foundational text for beginning meditation students by Omori Sogen - one of the foremost Zen teachers of the twentieth century. Written to provide a solid grounding in the physical nature of Zen meditation training, this text discusses breathing, pain, posture, state of mind and physiology, drowsiness and benefits, as well as the context in which zazen training takes on meaning. Students will also learn what to consider when searching for a teacher and the differences between the two main Japanese schools of Zen: Soto and Rinzai Zen. This book addresses many of the questions which arise when someone first embarks on a journey of Zen meditation - ranging from how long to sit at one time to how to remain mindful when not sitting - and it concludes with commentaries on two other fundamental Zen texts, Zazen Wasen (The Song of Meditation) and the Ox-Herding Pictures. Though meditation has been practiced in Asia for thousands of years, it did not catch on in the West until researchers began to test the effects and benefits of this mindfulness practice in the mid-20th century. These benefits include: Increased focus, problem solving, decision making and creative thinking skills Reduced blood pressure and risk of stroke or heart attack Improvements to the immune system, arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, IBD and other health conditions Pain relief Improved memory and mood

Omori Sogen (1904-1994) was a respected teacher and advisor to the Japanese Cabinet. After WWII, he entered the priesthood in the Tenryu-ji Rinzai lineage. For 40 years he taught swordsmanship, calligraphy and Zen meditation, while writing 20 books and serving as a court magistrate, eventually becoming president of the principal Rinzai university in Japan, Hanazono Daigaku. He established the International Zen Dojo in Hawaii and founded Chozen-ji in Honolulu--the first headquarters temple for Rinzai Zen outside Japan. Foreword by: Sayama Daian, the Abbot of Chozen-ji. He has trained at Chozen-ji for 44 years, starting sanzen (koan training) with Omori Sogen and then received inka (mind stamp) from Tanouye Tenshin in 1996. He graduated from Yale summa cum laude in 1975 and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1982. He is the author of Samadhi, Self-Development in Zen, Swordsmanship, and Psychotherapy, Focused Psychotherapy with Nicholas Cummings, PhD and Ten Shin Myo, The Mysterious Wonder of the Universal Mind: The Way of Zen Master Tanouye Tenshin. Michael Kangen is the head priest of Chozen-ji Zen Temple. He has trained at Chozen-ji since 2003, receiving inka from Sayama Daian in 2019. Beyond Zazen, his Zen training has included Kendo, shakuhachi, Hitsuzendo and Hojo. Introduction by: Trevor Leggett is author of A First Zen Reader, Zen and the Ways and many other books on Zen, Taoism and Asian philosophy.

"Omori Sogen Roshi's classic text is a treasure for anyone wishing to learn more about the practice of Zen meditation. It is truly a transformative work." -- Shunmyo Masuno, Chief Priest of Kenkoh-ji Temple and author of The Art of Simple Living "No book has influenced my Zen practice and teaching more than Introduction to Zen Training. I have returned to it continually over the years." --Kenneth Setsuzan Kushner, PhD, Zen master, psychologist, author of One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment "...this book is a valuably detailed 'how-to' manual on meditation (including "zazen without sitting"), which also addresses misperceptions about Zen and its practice to help beginners avoid basic mistakes." -- Kyoto Journal