Meditation is a central practice in Zen from "summary" of The Way of Zen by Alan Watts
The practice of meditation holds a central place in Zen. It is through meditation that the Zen student comes to directly experience the truth of existence. This direct experience is essential in Zen, as mere intellectual understanding is not sufficient. Meditation allows the student to transcend the limitations of language and thought, and to connect with the ultimate reality that lies beyond concepts. In Zen, meditation is not seen as a means to an end, but as an end in itself. The focus is not on achieving some future goal, but on being fully present in the moment. Through meditation, the student learns to let go of attachments and desires, and to simply be with what is. This state of pure awareness is known as "satori" or enlightenment. The practice of meditation in Zen is characterized by a sense of effortlessness. The student is not striving to achieve anything, but is simply allowing things to unfold naturally. This sense of effortlessness is crucial, as it allows the student to let go of the ego and surrender to the flow of existence. In Zen medit...
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