Zen

Zen is a psychophysical discipline to transcend life and death (all dualism), to truly realize that the entire universe is the “true human body,” through the discipline of “mind and body in oneness.” Besides what Miyamoto Musashi called Iwo no Mi (body of a huge boulder—going through life rolling and turning like a huge boulder) and Yagyu Tajima called Marubashi no Michi (a bridge round like a ball—according with the myriad changes of life), there is nothing else.

Zen without the realization of the body is nothing but empty discussion. Martial Ways without the realization of the Mind is nothing but beastly fighting.

Excerpts from the Chozen-ji Canon

There are two Buddhist organizations associated with the Jikishinkan Aikido Dojo; The Brooklyn Buddhist Association (BBA) and Direct Mind Zendo (DMZ).

brooklyn buddhist association

The Brooklyn Buddhist Association is an organization dedicated to the practice of Shin Buddhism. Shin, or Jodo Shinshu, is a branch of Buddhism where other-power, as opposed to “self-power” is the path to realization. The simple act of saying “Namu Amida Butsu” with a true mind and open heart allow anyone to achieve the realization of their true nature.

direct mind zendo

Direct Mind Zendo is a lay Zen organization dedicated to serving as an “urban monastery” for the spread of Zen practice. DMZ follows the Rinzai tradition, with an emphasis on Zazen meditation as the route to self-realization.

zazen and zen arts

Sitting in zazen provides the easiest conditions for experiencing mushin (no-mind). To abide in this state amidst the clamor of the world is infinitely more difficult. For this, shugyo (the deepest possible spiritual training) is necessary. Shugyo is like taking a lump of raw iron ore, throwing it in fire and water, and pounding it, over and over again until a flawless sword is made. A fencing master once trained a student by hitting him at every opportunity. After some years the student learned to keep alert and dodge the blows successfully. But the master still was not satisfied. One day when the master was cooking, the student tried to hit him over the head from behind. Without intention the master blocked the blow with the cover of a pot and opened his student’s mind to the working aspect of mushin.

One undergoes shugyo not to gain anything but to lose the attachments accumulated since birth. Losing day by day, one attains a greater degree of maturity. One can see unity in opposition and can expect and not expect at the same time. Ultimately when all that is not real falls away, a person lives and dies as one with the life of the Universe.

Direct Mind Zendo provides training and supervision in many aspects of zen study.

Zazen (sitting meditation) is the traditional “zen meditation” technique, practiced while sitting cross-legged with the eyes half closed. During zazen, the mind may be focused on the breath or a koan (a problem designed to create stillness of mind), but the mind does not entertain idle thoughts. Kinhin (walking meditation) brings the still mind of zazen into a walking practice.

Hojo is a sword form consisting of four parts patterned after the four seasons. Ten minutes of intense concentration is required to perform the exacting movements of the Hojo. Also, hojo walking, a method of breathing and walking patterned after and used in the sword form.

Shodo, the way of the brush (calligraphy). Classes are held showing the proper method of holding the brush and basic techniques for drawing kanji (Chinese and Japanese ideographs). Shodo is a method of writing, but also provides a window to help observe the writer’s mind.

Direct Mind Zendo also sponsors special events and lectures, Zazenkai (intensive one or two day zen retreats), and sesshin (longer more formal zen intensives), as well as ongoing beginners classes.