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Hi Open Mind, I was just enjoying having a look at your website and see you say this: In addition, we disavow the many superstitious practices and beliefs that were rooted in the popular cultures of India, China, Tibet and Japan. This is not to say that those ancient cultures don¢t have much to offer us, but simply that we need to choose our practices carefully with a scientific eye to what is real for the modern practitioner. In this sense, we believe Zen to be a true "Science of Mind," I just wanted to point out that so called science is often wrong, by its own admission, and limited to its own boundries of understanding- it is not open minded enuf !.... so what seems to be taking place is that scienctists are starting to look to buddhism.... So maybe a scientific eye isn't the best way to go?? Just a thought.... and wishing you well. MBB Dear MBB, Thanks for checking out our site. We are not talking about science vs. Buddhism. We are saying that Zen is about using your own body and mind as the experiment. Rather than believing in concepts and ideas, directly experience awakened Buddha Mind. This does not require faith or belief in myths from the past. Many Asian Buddhists are faith worshippers, similar to most Christians and Jews in the United States. Buddha Mind does not require any belief or validation, it simply is always present. Dear Open Mind Zen, I see that you claim that Open Mind Zen differs from traditional Zen practice, but isn't it true that these traditional practices have worked for thousands of years? Why change what appears to be working? Thanks for your teaching - LSP Dear LSP: This is an excellent question that I'm happy to address. Open Mind Zen does use some traditional training methods, such as koan practice and zazen itself. However, what does "traditional" actually mean? Traditional in Japan is very different from what was traditional in China, which is different from India, etc. etc. The modern western world is very different in distinct ways from ancient Asia, and so we need new methods in some cases to transmit the reality of Buddha Mind in this new environment. That's what we are endeavoring to do, although we do keep the essence of Zen, which is awakening, at the core of it all. Hope this helps you in your practice! Dear Open Mind Zen, I have been meditating for two year and the result was amazing I was almost achieved what I wanted to achieve. However, for the last six month the energy that I have on my head keep distracting me, pulling me down, gives me a headache and a pain on my jaw. Is there a way out of this? how can I sweep down and release energy congestion from my head. My meditation technique is just siiting and close my eyes and meditate for 30-45min everyday. Teferei, from Australia Dear Teferi,
The first thing I would ask you is what is it that you "wanted to achieve?"
It appears that you are concentrating too much tension in the upper part of your
body for some reason.
In Zen practice we focus on the lower part of the body at first, which is
called the "hara" in Japanese, or tan tien (heaven's gate) in Chinese. This area
is about an inch below your navel. My suggestion is that you shift your
attention to that area, and be aware of your breath as it expands with your
inhale and contracts with your exhale in the lower abdominal region. While you
are doing this exercise, consciously give your head, face & neck permission
to relax. This should help if you apply yourself to it - let me know how it
goes.
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