My cousin wanted to know where he could learn more about Buddhism and meditation. My first thought is to read Zen Mind Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. However, knowing how busy many people are and how much some young people dislike reading, I found a free online recorded version. If you are interested, this is a good starting point.
Zen is not for the faint of heart. Everyone must sit in silence; sometimes, silence reveals one’s true self, fears, and hidden thoughts.
Begin by focusing on the breath. Sit quietly and pay attention to your breathing. This foundational practice requires no prior experience and can be deeply calming. While I sit for 30-40 minutes at a time, some recommend starting by sitting zazen for 5-10 minutes. The focus one finds while sitting should then be carried into daily activities, such as eating, walking, or cleaning.
Sitting is not magic and is not about achieving perfection. As with many practices, having a community’s support, which we call a sangha, is very helpful. If there is no local community, many zen centers have online communities.
We call sitting our practice. We practice without judgment. Imagine life is like gardening. Zen practice is like gardening. It is about care, patience, and being present in the process. Our practices teach us to nurture life with mindfulness and to accept what arises, trusting that the garden will grow naturally into something beautiful with gentle attention.
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