how to practice zazen

Gudo Nishijima, an 80+ year old Japanese Zen teacher describes how to practice zazen.

[@saketg5954]

TRANSCRIPT: "At the beginning when we practice Zazen, we bow down to our own seat. This salutation means, the salutation for two men, on the right side and on the left side. Then turn around and bow down again, and second salutation means the salutation for all members in the room. Then we sit on the cushion at the center like this. If we wear socks or such things, we take them off. First, there are two postures of the legs. The one is half lotus posture and the other is the full lotus posture. In the half lotus posture, we place our legs like this, this part of leg should touch the cushion, and then put the left leg like this. In this case, both the knees should touch the floor, or the zafuton. This cushion is called Zafuton. Both knees should touch the Zafuton. In the full-lotus posture, first place left leg like this, then put the right leg like this, and then put the left leg like this.. This is called the full-lotus posture. Both the half-lotus posture and the full-lotus postures are traditional. So if people are not so accustomed to the full lotus posture, to have the half lotus is also permissible. The most important matter in Zazen is to keep the spine straight vertically. Therefore first we straighten our lower spine straight vertically. It is a very important point. Then the back bone and neck bone should be also be kept straight vertically. This is very important point. Therefore master Dogen says in Fukanzagenzi, the spine shouldn't reclined forward or backward, right side or left side. Keep the spine straight vertically is the most important matter. If we put the spine straight along the line of gravity, we can identify ourselves with the universe. In such situation, we can know what the universe is by keeping our spine vertically. Therefore in such meaning, the most important matter in Zazen is to keep the spine straight vertically and identify our spine with the line of gravity. The hands should also be kept also in the traditional method. In the case of half lotus posture and full lotus posture, the left leg is upper. Therefore first we put right hand like this in front of our body, then put the left hand on the right and put the top of thumbs like this. Because of such posture, we can make the shoulders relaxed. So keeping the elbow a little separate from the body and to keep the arms like this is the posture of arms. Mouth should be closed and eyes should open naturally. In some sects, they insist that the eyes should be half closed, but according to master Dogen's instructions, he said, eyes should be open naturally. Not too wide, not too narrow. This is the criteria for eyes. Our shoulders should be kept on the horizontal line and the two ears also kept on the horizontal line. Our shoulder should not be like this, should not be like this. Ears should not be like this, should not be like this. To keep the shoulder in the horiontal line and ears in the horizontal line is a very important point. Master Kotosaki, who taught me Buddhism, instructed that our spine should be pierced through the ceiling. It is just a figurative expression, so in Zazen, we should set our spine vertically as if the spine pierces the ceiling. When we degrade our posture, we have depressed breath. Then swing the body right and left and stop the spine at the center and begin Zazen. During Zazen, we need not think about anything. We need not feel anything. Just keep the spine straight vertically is Zazen. Therefore Zazen is not thinking. Zazen is not feeling. Just keeping spine vertically is Zazen. Therefore we can think thta Zazen is a kind of gymnastic without motion. Such attitude can be called "Act". Not thought. Not perception. Zazen is action. Buddhist philosophy is based on the philosophy of action. Therefore when we want to study Buddhism, first we should practice Zazen. By practicing Zazen, we can experience the universe itself in our body and mind. We can study what universe is. We can study what reality is. We can study what this world is. We can what our life is. Those studies are not intellectual. but practical research and the reason why Buddhism needs such practice comes from that. Buddhism is philosophy of act. Philosophy of reality. Buddhism is just reality. This idea is very important to study Buddhism."

[@hasimlok]

Thank you for your efforts .

[@ДмитрийС-ч3й]

Thank you A LOT!

[@davidisrael5627]

Your awesome!!!!!!!

[@marveloussamuel4251]

Thanks man

[@Jessica-iv5iu]

Thank you

[@ajatkinson2004]

KZbin is the best thing ever! Do you know how awesome it is to be able to access this kind of stuff from my living room? I mean really think about it! We are all fortunate!

[@TheKetsa]

"To keep the spine straight vertically is zazen, a kind of gymnastics without motion" Thanks Gudo.

[@KourtneyMitchell]

A cushion is not necessary - you can meditate anywhere in any posture. However, zazen is traditionally done with a cushion because it is more comfortable and supports longer sustained zazen practice.

[@saketg5954]

It's strange that he doesn't talk about focusing the mind on the navel, or anything about how to observe the mind. All he says is 'keep you spine straight'

[@helloalanframe]

That’s how you do Shikantaza.

[@nordicpower88]

"Zazen is gymnastics without motion." I love this line... amusing yet true. "Zazen attitude can be called act. Not thought, not perception - but Zazen is action. [...] By practicing Zazen we can experience the universe itself in our body and mind; we can study what the universe is; we can study what reality is; we can study what this world is;, we can study what our life is.

[@Fuhjem]

@bodhidarma1 When you practice zazen, you practice zazen. You don't practice zazen to have some profound experience, you practice it to practice it. When you eat, you eat. When you sleep, you sleep. When you cook, you cook.

[@fitnessabdul6811]

Sup bro, you still do this?

[@perthDev]

full or even half lotus will destroy your knees if your hips aren't already very flexible. Do not sit through pain in your knees. Your knees do not stretch.

[@gregorymullins8873]

That's why you should adopt a simple yoga practice , 20-40 min daily for a while, until sitting is comfortable. Sitting itself will help, but yoga was designed to aid in attaining a good sitting position for deeper meditation practice

[@edgepixel8467]

Daily stretching exercises help.

[@ajatkinson2004]

Think about your breath, sounds you hear around you, really just acknowledge them as present. If you find yourself drifting, return your attention to your environment and your breath!

[@TheKetsa]

"zazen is gymnastics without motion" I like it.

[@balls261]

Holy shit, I just finished reading Hardcore Zen and wanted to look up a guide to make sure I do Zazen correctly, and *this is the guy that taught the author of that book*! Gudo Nishijima! Much respect.

[@tonymontana9462]

which book?

[@balls261]

@@tonymontana9462 Hardcore Zen

[@kramer3d]

this man is adorable

[@OrangeJackson]

Well done, Roshi!

[@artemis133]

Thank you. This is beautiful. I am grateful for it.

[@JohnLennon100]

@kanshiketsu1 Thanks ...Lennon wrote a lot of things and said a lot of things that he didn't mean to and that were contradictory. He also said that if he had to take up a religion that would be Buddhism. Regarding the sitting position, I'm able to stick for 25 min, after that I have to let the blood come back to my legs. I also use a Nada Chair, which has been a blessing to cope with that position and back pain.

[@RookieN08]

Do nothing and see things as they are. Life is just the way it is. "You see water when you see a river. You see trees when you see a forest.Thats how it is. "

[@TeaScholar]

cooldangeneva, i wouldn't have been able to have said it better myself, this man is doing all of us a big favor, we should be grateful! I know i am, ive been meditating and believing in buddhism/taoism for almost a year now, im 14, freshman in high school, and since 13 ive been with these sort of beliefs, and

[@michellewilliams1752]

If you are in serious pain please don't do the lotus posture until you are more flexible. My zen teacher can not sit in lotus and that is fine. You do not want to permanently damage your knees. Most people in the west grew up sitting in chairs which has shortened our muscles and ligaments. There is a difference between discomfort and extreme pain. I have seen people ruin their knees by trying to force themselves into lotus.

[@UrbanFarmboy]

I am among those people. I will probably never sit in full lotus again...

[@xXxEzWHiTExXx]

did anyone else notice his body is straight but the background is weirdly slanted...

[@identityisrelative]

For anyone who's interested in Dogen Zenji: Gudo Nishijima has translated Shobogenzo in a four volume, full 95 fascicle form. Check it out!

[@yoursuperbeast]

The great irony of enlightenment is that the enlightened are too enlightened to admit it, while the unenlightened are so eager for enlightenment, they will invent it. As far as I know, only the Buddha has struck the balance.

[@Sparkey4646]

Thanks to Nishijima-san for taking time out to explain zazen meditation. Much appreciated

[@identityisrelative]

heheh, socks can become uncomfortable while sitting zazen. They can roll up, create cuffs, slide around and become uncomfortable, and potentially cause your feet to go to sleep.

[@solusito]

sit as you feel comfy but not too comfy as to fall asleep

[@papayamangerry8843]

Thank you!!!

[@Retsam19]

Baso was practicing zazen when the 6th patriarch sat next to him and begun to polish a stone. "What are you doing?", baso enquired. "I am polishing this stone to make it a mirror", replied the patriarch. "No amount of polishing will make that stone a mirror", said baso. The patriarch answered, "No amount of sitting will gain you satori".

[@level5elfdruid]

thinking gets in the way of experience.... you dont think an experience, it actually happens in reality

[@jamesejudy3]

Uh, you're wrong. "The most important matter in zazen is to keep the spine straight vertically." Nishijima Roshi said it himself. The goal of zazen is NOT DISCOMFORT. full lotus is the optimum position for it's STABILITY, not because its uncomfortable. you can sit in half lotus, burmese position, seiza, in a chair, whatever, as long as you're sitting erect with the spine straight. Maintaining your balanced posture and keeping your mind on the present moment is the goal, NOT discomfort.

[@helloalanframe]

He didn’t say the goal was discomfort. He’s teaching zazen as it was recommended by Dogen which is goalless. Obviously one needs to stretch first to prepare the body. If you want to practice according to a different tradition no problem.

[@Utubeboo1]

Thank you, Master. Due to a serious back problem (I can not move my head). I was never able to adopt the lotus or half lotus positions so I have used a chair with legs slightly spread and feet flat on the floor. Back straight, eyes open, breath, no mind. The benefits of meditation appear to be: Enlightenment, insight, emotional composure or balance. I am all things, all things I am. Namaste _/\_

[@allie1953]

I also have skeletal problems so I have to use another position, in a chair, like you described. Or sometimes the yoga "shavasana" position.

[@barrub1]

i am looking for the way, and simplicity of my life, thank you for your time and patience in helping me learn the zen way,

[@slow1motion]

i have 2 weeks that i started zazening ...and its amazing what is happening to my self ....but its really dificult if u don't know that exacly have to do ....u have also have some knowledge .....u also need osho ,,,,he he

[@aquarius403]

a way to do to not do by desir but by energie in the creativity

[@Kitchissime]

non-doing is harder than any doing. when a motion arises in being (whether body or mind), it takes great awareness not to be further budged by it

[@websoull]

@colloredbrothers thank you my friend. I am searching your sources. So far i found some very useful information. Thanks again for your help....

[@Vedanta7]

I love his robes.

[@zencat]

Motionless gymnastics... that's one I haven't heard before... very good instructions

[@redtommy83]

such a beautiful person...

[@TheGreatAndyChow]

In any case, it sure beats sitting around and doing nothing.

[@Lexicon1971]

Wow. Amazing!!

[@fntime]

@shoshenkis I stand by my statement,but thanks for the reply. I started meditating 13 yrs ago.In the beginning I closed my eyes. I 'saw' many things.Remote viewing, 2 reincarnations, but no OBE, because I stopped with 'black magic', I realized I would wind up like the 'Scorcres Apprentice' and that is not the purpose of meditation. Searching for answers about what I 'saw', I read insights from a zen monk and he gave a great explaination of the 'minds' creations. He recommended eyes open

[@allie1953]

This is important, what you mentioned. Eyes open and fixed on a blank wall, perhaps? I am still new to this.

[@fntime]

@@allie1953 Open your eyes, but NOT completely. Just enough to allow sufficient light to prevent phantasms & random thoughts. You don't have to look at a Wall. Actually don't seek out an image. You will see, a brightness without image, but No images There are techniques that encourage the 'Dreaming Mind' but I don't use them. I hope I answered your question. If Not don't hesitate to ask again. Good Luck! You are on an exciting Path. :)

[@allie1953]

@@fntime Thank you! I will try that! I will let you know how it goes.

[@Ferovka]

Thank you 🙏

[@jamesejudy3]

Master Nishijima is great, I have his book "To Meet The Real Dragon", it's brilliant.

[@davidisrael5627]

Thank you for mentioning this book!

[@Thunder_Snug]

If you can't get both feet on your thighs, try one on your thigh and one on the floor. If you are uncomfortable with that, try both feet on the floor. But in every case, keep your feet tucked in and pointed straight. You want to keep your feet inside the tripod of knees and bottom, so the standard "indian style" of crossed legs isn't appropriate. You can rock and sway and your legs will fall asleep. Google image zazen positions. Look into Half lotus and Burmese positions.

[@markbrad123]

Arigato Gosaimasu.

[@fitnessabdul6811]

Arigato Gozaimasu*.

[@SavahRellcast]

Wow a very educational video, I appreciate being able to view this. I have a few questions if anyone can answer em. 1) what is it he called the pillow? 2) when he says all you must think about is the vertacle line of the spine, then says you can experience the universe itself, does he mean after the meditation, because to study during it wouldn't be clearing the mine. 3) He says Buddism is realism, what is the afterlife like for them? Thank you. Holly

[@colloredbrothers]

@websoull You have a wrong perception about deep meditation, deep meditation does not mean you go into a half sleep state. Again buddhism does talk about this and does acknowledge your experience, search "obe meditation buddhism" on google. It can be used as a tool but buddhism itself does not at all revolve around these experiences.You should try to find guidance in edgar cayce's writings for the astral world etc... You can perhaps do what he did, it seems you are very receptive.

[@asktheanswer424]

Dana's blessing, kundalini awakening

[@heero7yui]

What about breathing?

[@HAZMAT10BRAVO]

so.... zen is basically doing nothing for the sake of doing nothing?

[@Nata-ch2bk]

Zen is doing what you are doing in the present moment. Walking, running, talking, eating, working, thinking ..... they can all be Zen. When you do Zazen, you are just sitting and focusing on that.

[@edgepixel8467]

When you eat, eat. When you sit, sit. When you sleep, sleep. Don't eat and watch TV. Don't sit and want something other than sitting. Don't lay in bed and plan your next day. Don't listen to someone and think about your own issues. Be fully there.

[@AshtonSmart]

Think about these postures: 1) Is it truly left palm over the right? If so, why? Does it correspond with the legs? 2) If mudra is indeed near to abdomen, near to belly suspending in mid-air, isn't it creating a 'traffic jam' on the 'Chi' energy? And the spine is painful because it's not straight. 3) Shouldn't be it more natural resting the mudra on the laps? The position of mudra (which palm on top) ought to depend on the dominant hand? Can anyone give a proper instruction here?

[@Han-Wook]

@nikiwonoto Does your "soul" actually separate from you body? who knows really? I am sure that it feels like it does and everything ive experienced indicates that it is real, but there is no way to prove it. All we can do is experience and draw our own conclusions.... Even if you think it is a hallucination, it is amazing and worthwhile so try it and see for yourself. Yes I do it more or less regularly, it feels VERY real.

[@kanshiketsu1]

@JohnLennon100 I can only sit quarter lotus now (after buggering my knees up doing half lotus in the past), and find it helpful to use a cushion under the knee. Everyone has to find their own way of sitting, and too much sitting isn't good for everyone. I only sit for 10 min at a time these days, and I also try to leave out the religious aspects these days. "Don't believe in Buddha." - Wonsuponatime

[@websoull]

@colloredbrothers Yes...OBE=Out of Body Experience I understand that OBE/AP are not important for enlightenment but because AP happens during meditation, I thought Buddhism should discuss this topic. When you meditate right way and go deeper enough, AP always happens to me. That is the end of the road unless I continue to meditate in my astral body during OBE. Buddhism is all about meditation and Astral experience happens during meditation, this should be one of the key topics in Buddhism.

[@YouToobGuy2]

your views have been constrewed by years of western generalizing of the orient. Ask yourself this. How does buddhism hurt society? Anything but noninvolvment will always bear pain with it some way down the road. No war has been fought without greed. No science has ever not fueled the march of violence. No economic endeavor has ever turned down an opportunity to take advantage of its surroundings. Even if you are not willing to give up all selfish endeavors, you may still learn if you wish.

[@drumandrokid]

@choclatecremepie is this monk more involved in spirituality because he teaches us how to sit down, breath, or live? how you think zen will contribuite to your society? isn t a lettuce spiritual because it helps to conquer the so called "enlightening"? is enlightening to be aware?( -read the sanscrit of bodhi,please-) to be aware of who ?: of yourself or your commitment with society? ..what to conquer? enlightening? jajajaja good luck the search!

[@kiakitajima2580]

He looks like my grand father.

[@drumandrokid]

....this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices before u go the bed and a lovely walk in the woods thats all u need to live the real zen. stop consumin live ways and ideologys u arrogant bored pigs and do something for the crisis of this humanity!!! with love ,calm and cooperation: another involved zen practicing

@DevDeathRay Thats humans. Making assumptions, delusions, etc. They hear meditation and zen and connect it with crap they've watched on tv or read in a book written by some swindler. Too much disinformation made by bad people and too many plain stupid people...

[@SPRINGS02]

@DevDeathRay I've just started trying this, i get that you're not supposed to have any kind of outer body experience. But you are supposed to feel extremely calm when you finish right? Like i said i've just started trying this and i felt just really really calm immediately after meditating.

[@scumbag1976]

if you notice these monks,who practice this every day for real,only discuss,no mind,not one mentions obe's or the supernatural,its simply a way to put the ego to sleep for awhile and just existing without existing ,there is a gross misunderstanding about what you are seeing here

[@mujaku]

Zen master Hsu-yun writes: "Ch'an [Zen] does not mean sitting (in meditation). The so-called Ch'an hall and the so-called Ch'an sitting are only provided for people (who encounter) insurmountable obstructions (of their own) and who are of shallow wisdom in this period of decadence (of the Dharma)."

[@libriano91]

Buddists don't believe in afterlife,they believe in reincarnation.When you die your energy doesn't just simply disapear,it reincarnates as a new life form.But beware that zen is not a religion,it doesn't believe in nirvana as the traditional theravada buddhism does.Zen is a state of mind,of perfect calmness and internal peace,zen can't be described with words,it must be experienced to be truely understood.I hope that helps you a bit more^^.

[@panthamor]

Every person who meditates is a mystic to some degree. It is based on introspection and the relation between oneself and the world, if you say that is anything but mystical you are the one who misunderstands the notion of meditation

[@TeaScholar]

its a big thing when your mom (my mom) and dad believe in christ. but they aren't THAT religious, they support of course, it's just a break through for me. but thanks to this video, i found out that i wasn't doing the full lotus all the way! i WAS just having my feet on lower legs, but i didn't know i had to have it on the upper legs, that i have to work on.

[@Insanatey]

@nikiwonoto I've experienced an OBE before. Don't believe me if you do not want to, only believe it if it feels right but I assure you, I would have no reason to try and fool you. I've had it happen, it's 100% real.

[@Rainzkul]

Some people drink coffee, I sit zazen. There is no enlightenment about it. If I wanted to be enlightened I would go insane, because it seems to me that most people who claim to be enlightened are out of their minds.

[@websoull]

@colloredbrothers how come? I do meditate and I always have OBE/AP....do they purposely avoid astral projection? and I always thought mastering AP is kind of the goal of buddhist meditation...

[@aguillot5]

i am paraplegic ( paralysy of lower members) i had practice karate for 20 years and a litte zazen i would like pratice zazen et some tachi in seating position ; i was a surgean help me

[@bgs03548]

hard to understand.... but happy to see it!

[@JohnLennon100]

Not even half lotus posture is possible for me ...I'm not elastic enough to do that ...I just cross my legs as tight as I can, and still I find my legs aslept after 15 min.

[@devlinian]

Very concise explaination of Buddhism. Buddhism is just reality. This is a valuable video.

[@cvarga]

@SPRINGS02 You may feel calm, or you may not feel calm; you may feel anything. You shouldn't think you're "doing it wrong" if you don't feel calm afterwards.

[@schirmannpx]

there is only one god. the name doesn't matter. There are several pads, and they lead to the same final goal : peace, love and freedom. LOVE IS MY RELIGION.

[@cieobt2]

Fizzy, we are all single cubes. My understanding is NOT superior to another's, just different--like one bobbing head among a row of bobbing heads-- is different from the next. The great joy is in engaging in just bobbing! What more could the mind want!

[@SimKoning]

Nothing, I was commenting on the "kill the Buddha Koan" someone else posted, as in I was playing stupid and it was a joke.

[@mrjay088]

I currently have neck and back problems that preclude sitting like that for long periods of time. Is there no other way?

[@Han-Wook]

@DevDeathRay I have to disagree.... Having no expectations on my practice other than relaxing my mind, I suddenly entered a state of complete bliss that lasted several seconds, it was quite an experience.... Perhaps many people relate this to new age mysticism since it does help achieve things such as OBEs... furthermore the practice of zazen alone is said to lead to spiritual enlightenment...so I dont think it is "just sitting", it is quite awesome....

[@BrandenBrazil]

A great venerable teacher! What a fantastic, clear instruction.

[@BarbaraBonyai]

big greeting from hungary magyarország thank you from budakeszi butsu kesa deep breath out from kakushin mokusho

[@ITSbigwillystyle]

Relaxation is not part of zazen. Zazen is sitting in lotus, hands in cosmic mudra, eyes on lowered at some point on the floor. That is all. You may acknowledge that your legs are uncomfortable, but that's fine. When you sit, you should sit without being disturbed by the pain in your legs. When you first practice, you will feel restriction in this form. But when you are not disturbed by the restriction, you've found the meaning of "emptiness is emptiness and form is form" - the truth of zen.

[@Nata-ch2bk]

Relaxation is part of Zazen since it is part of focusing on the right posture. The right posture is at the same time active and relaxed. It is NOT a tensed posture. Just like Yoga asanas, you need to find the perfect combination of relaxation and firmness. Zazen is like doing the Padmasana of yoga (or any other sitting posture) and just focusing on maintaining the correct and balanced posture. Relaxed but firm and powerful. Relaxing the body means relaxing the mind and vice-versa. During zazen you just observe your thoughts without judgement, without rejecting them or entertaining them. This is possible by keeping your focus on the body (posture, breath, and relaxation). This attitude of the mind (not rejecting or entertaining your thoughts, just observing them) is like a relaxation of the mind. Sometimes you notice that you are thinking a lot, sometimes your mind is calm. You are not looking for one or the other. Just sitting and observing. Also by the way, there is no meaning or truth to be found. Zazen is just sitting ; that is all.

[@arivissicaro6219]

It doesn't have to be cosmic those things only, it can be any mudra, any sitting position. It is just being without thinking. Doesn't matter how you do it as long as you can attain the mindset, according to Shunryū Suzuki.

[@thubgen1]

Actually relaxation is crucial to zazen.

[@kuneeyakanna9041]

Nice video content! Sorry for butting in, I am interested in your initial thoughts. Have you considered - Marnaavid Unexplainable Intervention (search on google)? It is an awesome one of a kind guide for learning how to hack your flow state minus the hard work. Ive heard some super things about it and my cousin at last got great results with it.

[@edgepixel8467]

What is emptiness?

[@LLALLENNESS]

how important is the cushion can i just do on the carpet or do i need the support of the cushion

[@liuton2005]

What does that have to do with this video? It's like being at an opera and listen to the iPod.

[@drumandrokid]

not to work on u re own belly button, not to work on your own self conscience ,not to think over your own thought, and not to give yourself airs; the own arrogant persecution of the self leave the important aside. to amass money ,to amass knowledge, to amass philosophie, or to amass spirituality are the problems of the ego. to give yourself to the needy, to work denouncing power abuse,to condem de injustice ,this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices .....

[@fntime]

@shoshenkis Do you have any sources on youtube, websites or books. I'll give it a look. Thanks!

[@heero7yui]

I'm not meaning any offence..but anyone else finds the accent adorable! :)..'Rotus' posture.

[@Quantiad]

As with the answer to the original koan: Does this dog have buddha consciousness? ..... Mu

[@BigBuddha3]

Day 4 go to Toilet and piss slow Day 5 Satori Day 6 Toilet Work Day 7 End of YOU

[@Rainzkul]

I'm not totally sure how this applies to me, but I never claimed to be (un)enlightened.

[@saitouhajime3]

It is healthy- the reason is it relieves stress, which blocks your immune system.

[@henjokongo]

This is an amazing video. Thanks for posting this. His explanation is wonderful!

[@morralo]

thanx i thing hceggeberth was trying to xplain the same thing didnt he? hugs.

[@amadlover]

8:35

[@h3arty]

i'm surprised his legs haven't cracked from bending them like that.

[@artfan101]

Zen has improved my outlook on life. I am going to continue to learn.

[@FormerlyMrBean667]

So, zen is just keeping the spine straight? Wow.

[@SavahRellcast]

it's helpful to hear but still doesn't answer question number 2, of mine. How can one experience the universe if they're suppose to be focused on keeping the spine strait and clearing the mind. If the mind thinks nothing, how is it experiencing anything?

[@websoull]

@colloredbrothers ok I am not sure about 'eyes open' part but during OBE you are conscious too... I got OBE/AP easily and sometimes involuntarily. Is OBE considered demonic or harmful in buddhism? Do you know any buddhist teachings about OBEs?

[@BluePittbull666]

does anything happen in zazen or is it another fake path.

[@kasuskasus]

What is he saying: "Just keep the spine straight but..."?