Zazen: The Buddha’s Meditation in Paris

What a strange idea to sit for an hour facing the wall, without moving, and in total silence! Yet zazen is the Buddha’s original practice.

Do zazen from satori, from your buddha nature. Under no circumstances should you do zazen to discover or obtain something.
Master Kosen

Passed down from India to China by Master Bodhidharma, from China to Japan by Master Dogen, and from Japan to Europe by Master Taisen Deshimaru, the zazen posture is now practiced by the sangha of Master Kosen, on which Zen Paris depends.

All masters of the soto school repeat it tirelessly: zen is zazen. Outside of this posture, which actualizes each person’s original buddha state, anything claiming to be “zen” is at best a temporary aid. At worst, a mirage that reinforces our illusions. Whether beginner or veteran, in practice, one must constantly re-actualize it. It’s like eating meals every day, not just once in a lifetime.

Zazen, a Seated Posture

To assume the zazen posture, sit in the full lotus or half-lotus position. A meditation cushion, the zafu, elevates your pelvis. Firmly press the floor with both knees.

Tilting the pelvis forward allows a firm grounding on the sit bones. The back aligns vertically from the third lumbar vertebra. Tuck the chin slightly. Gently stretch the neck. Push the sky with the crown of your head.

The left hand rests on the right hand, which is placed on the soles of the feet (in full lotus) or on the upper thighs (in half-lotus or cross-legged). The edges of the hands touch the abdomen. The thumbs lightly touch each other. Positioned this way, the two hands form a beautiful oval around the hara. The shoulders relax.

Keep your eyes open, half-closed. Let your gaze rest at a 45-degree angle toward the floor. Ensure your teeth lightly touch. Let your tongue gently press against the palate. Relax your jaw.

Grounding in the earth, the straightening of the entire body, and the release of tension induce a slow, gentle, and deep breath. In perfect stillness, turn your attention inward. Follow your breath. Without rejecting or pursuing them, let your thoughts pass.

Do not seek a special state. Simply harmonize with natural rhythms. Simply, naturally, automatically.