Day 30 of the 30 day meditation. Zazen/Kinhin meditation

The other day we learned the Zazen meditation, which primarily focuses on keeping ones concentration.  Today's meditation is more of the same, but with a twist.  In the monasteries and temples I spoke about the other day, meditations tend to go on for longer than the 5-30 minutes people dedicate to this daily practice.  In order to maintain focus and to keep the good QI (chi) going and remain in concentration, the Kinhin (kin-yin) meditation is also practiced. 

Kinhin is the practice of mediation while walking in a clockwise circle, be it slowed paced or at nearly a jog.  Kinhin is loosely translated into, 'walking back and forth'.  When practicing Kinhin, create a fist with one hand, then cover it with another and keeping it in front of your energy center, roughly two inches above your navel.  This area is also where you Solar Plexus chakra is located.  If you are having trouble picturing this, think of the stance a martial artist takes when bowing, before they kick each other's asses. (Pardon the sassiness, it's just who I am. Even when mellow.  Humor is good).

The meditation:  The entire meditation lasted for nearly 1/2 hour.  Fifteen minutes was dedicated to the Zazen breathing, One, inhale to the count of ten; two, exhale to the count of the ten; three, inhale to the count of ten; four, exhale to the count of ten, etc., until your reach ten repetitions.  Do this for as long as you are comfortable or you can handle. This is just what was suggested.  When you are ready, stand up, take a deep breath, exhale and then begin your clockwise walk.  You will either take a breath for every half step, if you are quick, or you will take several steps for every breath, if you choose the slower pace.  Continue this for several minutes.  I apparently have trouble walking in circles, because I kept losing my balance.  My posture was straight, but I really think I was overthinking this.  So try to keep your mind clear at all times.  I suggest starting at five minutes and working your way up to fifteen with the Zazen/Kinhin meditation.

Thank you for reading along the last 30 days.  I will blog about my post summary experience tomorrow.  Also, I have begun tweeting a daily mantra, so I think each new blog will be about the mantra for the day. I am an open book, so at times I will offer personal experiences and how I overcame those obstacles, or how I manage to incorporate these mantra's into my daily life.

Until tomorrow....Just breathe and inhale life.