Chan (Zen) is often perceived in one of two different ways by people: either as a religious institution, characterized by its lore, rhetoric, canonical texts, monastic customs, beliefs, etc, or as a mystical/ascetic tradition that focuses on spiritual disciplines that lead to an expanded awareness of Self. These two "faces" of Chan, however, do not always exist together harmoniously, but that's a ...

Chan training, begins with developing concentration (dharana ). This is different from non-directive techniques discussed previously because concentration requires the mind to focus intently on something; it can be a thought, a feeling, a bodily process (like breathing), an idea, a concept, a visual image, etc. Concentration improves our ability to reflect, to observe, and, in general, to be ...

Concentration provides the foundation for contemplation (dhyana). While the two can be developed together rather than in "stages," as I present here, we will have no ability to contemplate if we have no ability to concentrate. It's for this reason that I presented concentration as a prerequisite for contemplation. Contemplation leads to a variety of "enlightenment experiences" such as jiànxìng ...

As we become progressively more adept at contemplation, described in Part 3, the mind becomes progressively more powerful, awareness more keen, and the body and mind more in harmony with one another. At some point, we naturally and automatically enter the next and last stage of the spiritual path: meditation, or samadhi. Samadhi is characterized by the absence of an individual self. With no self ...