The document discusses the origins and practices of Zen Buddhism. It originated in China as Chan Buddhism in the 6th century, emphasizing enlightenment through meditation and teachers rather than doctrines. Zen focuses on being present through meditating on one's breathing, thoughts, and tuning out distractions to achieve enlightenment or oneness with oneself. Key Zen practices include sitting meditation, often in the lotus position, for up to 30 minutes along with snacks and 7 hours of sleep. Zen is also used as a way to reduce stress through meditation, relaxing foods and positions, exercise, and focusing on happiness.

1. Being Zen
BY JAYLYN GALLOWAY

2. What is that thing called Zen from?
 The art form branches out form the Mahayana Buddhism that originated in
the Chinese culture in the late six century known then as Chan.
 Soon it spread to influence the Japanese and Korean countries becoming
an important factor to daily meditations.
 The art form emphasizes finding enlightenment with ones self with a teacher
rather than from the doctrines and books filled with endless knowledge on
the subjects.
 In short the form has to do simply with you as a person.

3. What is enlightenment?
 Enlightenment is the action of being one with ones self and tuning
in with the thoughts that pass between the person and his soul.
 Being able to become centered and blocking out all the outside
world distractions.
 In the eighteenth and ninetieth centuries the movement of
enlightenment was more of reason and individualism rather than
tradition.

4. The three basic functions of Zen
 One: Overseeing the breathing portion of the meditation which
many tend to start out with the sitting position of the lotus
leaf(crisscross apple sauce). Then relaxing and starting with
counting backwards to be able to be numb to outside influences.

5. More Steps
 Step 2: The mind is the most important factor of the mediation
portion as one needs to be conscious of their thoughts and get in
tune with them. Being able to pass and soothe out the stress that is
in the body.

6. More Steps
 Step 3: Meditation its self is another important key factor as the
whole Zen religion is based on this. The maximum amount of
meditation time is thirty minutes that can also include breaks and
snacks. Sleeping is required also as one may sleep for up to seven
hours or more.

7. The Zen Holiday!
 In the Zen religion the most celebrated day is the Buddha birthday
which is a two day event from morning till nightfall.
 The beginning is revolved around blessing the next generation of
monks and the next Buddha.
 Next it is followed by some eating and mediations among the
people.
 The last event is the lighting of the lotus lanterns which they put their
renewal to the faith in and send them flying to the heavens.

8. Now for the stress part
 The nature of the Zen religion is not to try to make people believe in
the faith or to become monks themselves.
 Though it does stress that it is to be used as a way to break out of
the daily stresses that people tend to have from their everyday lives.
 Stress causes the body to become depleted of its much needed
energy causing anger and tiredness.
 So to do away with that Zen is here to help.

9. Relax and Relax some more
 Pick a spot that is all yours where the outside dramas and stress
cannot reach you.
 Than pick a comfy spot and try to close your eyes focusing on what
makes you happy as a person and count back.
 Breathing all the bad energy of the day away and in with the new
and happier energy.

10. Eating? Why not!
 Eating different types of food can cause the body to relax and to
be in better spirits here are some examples of those that you can
eat.
 Dark chocolate is one the best things to give to the body as it
releases endorphins to the brain.
 Blue berries which offer vitamin c which fights the stress the body is
under and offers high fiber along with it.
 Beef is another meal that can distress a family in need of it.

11. Relaxing Positions
 Some types of relaxing moves or exercises that can reduce stress
are.
 Number one: Yoga
 Number two: Running
 Number three: Boxing
 Number four: Rock climbing
 These and others are great ways to over come overwhelming
emotions as you don’t have enough time to think about them.

12. Works Cited
Einstein, Dorie. "10 Superfoods for Stress Relief." Better Homes and Gardens.
N.p., Sept. 2004. Web. 11 Oct. 2013
Kwan Um School of Zen. "What Is Zen." Kwanumzen.org. N.p., 2013. Web. 10
Oct. 2013.
"Zen." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.