The natural beauty of the body is a reflection of the mind’s skill in concentrating on one’s movements.
Mokudo Taisen Deshimaru
To practise zazen, one sits on a cushion (zafu) with the legs crossed in the lotus or half-lotus position. The pelvis is tilted forwards so that the knees press against the floor. From this base, the spine straightens, with the highest point of the skull reaching towards the sky. The chin is tucked in, the head is upright, and the shoulders are relaxed. The tip of the nose is in a vertical line above the navel, and the ears are level with the shoulders. The gaze is lowered. The tip of the tongue rests against the front of the palate. The left hand rests on top of the right hand, with the palms facing upwards. The thumbs touch lightly and are held horizontally. Both hands rest on the thighs, with the edges of the hands in contact with the lower abdomen. In this way, the conditions for complete stillness are created. One sits in this posture and concentrates on the breath. Every detail of the posture has a profound meaning. The parts of the body are interdependent and influence one another. Thanks to the great stability of the posture, it is possible to remain motionless for a long time and allow oneself to be permeated by cosmic life.
