On Thursday evening, we traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to the Isthmus Zen Center as a part of our study of Buddhism. I found it both strange and interesting. I enjoyed learning about how Buddhists think that everything is within themselves. They don't believe in a high being (God or gods) nor do they believe in reincarnation. They follow the eightfold path and the four noble truths which they believe will bring them to enlightenment or Nirvana. While meditating, Buddhists usually focus on something called a koan which is a question that doesn't really have an answer. Two examples that I really like are "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" and "What did your face look like before you were conceived?"
While we were at the meditation center we tried 2 different types of meditation. We did a silent meditation for about 5 minutes as well as a chant. It was strange, but slightly relaxing at the same time. I didn't really find it that difficult to sit still for 5 minutes once I found a comfortable positon. I sat in the half lotus position (one foot on the opposite thigh) for both meditation sessions.
I would like to try the ideas of meditation and focusing on one thing when I go to adoration. I think it will help me grow deeper in my faith by allowing me to just focus on prayer instead of everything else that is going on in my life.
Overall, I learned a lot and really enjoyed this field trip.
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