A Zen master discussed meditation to students and some Long Beach locals on Thursday.
The meeting for the Yokoji Long Beach Zen Group was held at the First Congregational Church in Long Beach. Charles Tenshin Fletcher Roshi spoke about the practice of Zen, how to incorporate it into daily living and the basics of Zen meditation.
He has taught Zen meditation for 30 years and is now based at the Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center, located in the nearby San Jacinto Mountains. From this facility, students come to weekly Long Beach Zen meetings and teach meditation.
“It is important in Zen practices to work with a good teacher because if you’re working alone you wouldn’t know what direction you are going and a teacher can provide you guidance,” Thomas Meier, program director for the Yokoji Long Beach Zen Group, said.
Meier said that the group wants people to understand the fundamentals of Zen so that they may learn how Zen can benefit their lives. He added that Zen meditation traces back to the Buddha. While Zen is compatible with religion, it’s more of a method of learning how to live a fulfilling life.
“If you can only do 5-10 minutes a day, it can be beneficial for your health,” Meier said.
Tenshi Roshi said that, in order for someone to start Zen meditation, there are three things one must look at: motivation, commitment and determination. Tenshi Roshi’s motivation was to end suffering and the only way to deal with suffering is to actually experience it, he said. In regards to commitment, he said, even if it takes two minutes out of your day to sit still, that one should do it. He added that determination means having faith in oneself and being able to meditate and carry on the practice in one’s life.
“Practice is the enjoyment of life. It is your life and nobody else can enjoy your life for you,” Tenshi Roshi said.
“Meditation will help with grounding myself and help me concentrate with what is important for me,” said Cal State Long Beach student Dagil Dalaijamts, a senior business administration major.
The Zen master even tackled the issue of religion when someone brought up the issue.
“How do you advise people who are raised with knowing that there is a heaven and a hell?” an audience member asked.
“Usually people are dissatisfied with their religion. Heaven and hell is not a place where you go to, but a place where you stand,” Tenshi Roshi responded.
The Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center currently has seven residential community members. The center is founded on firm ecological principles. Their facility’s energy is generated by solar panels and water is gathered from local wells.
“The energy up there is clear and helps me to look into my meditation,” Zen meditation practitioner Greg Foster said.
At the end of the month, the mountain resort will have a three-day retreat that is open for Long Beach residents and students to attend. For more information about the Yokoji Long Beach Zen Group, visit their website www.zmc.org.
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