Key To Zazen 3: Sound Of The Bell

This basic Zen Buddhist teaching introduces the practitioner to the Samadhi or absorption of the bell with a brief description of how to engage in this practice and its purpose in terms of centering into the present moment. It can be used as a preparation for meditation practice or independently. Includes periods of practice.

Transcript

Say So here.

Thank you for joining me today.

I'll be talking about the Samadhi or the absorption of the bell,

And we'll have a chance to practice meditation with the bell.

In formal Zen practice,

Everything has both a very practical purpose and meaning and a spiritual purpose and meaning.

We could say that these two variations of meaning reflect the basic Buddhist teaching of what we call the identity of the relative and the absolute.

This is often referred to as the one and the many,

Or in what in Zen parlance is often known as the identity of the one and the ten thousand grasses.

This reflects our unity and oneness of all being and also our uniqueness as individuals.

Here's an example.

In traditional Soto Zen Buddhist centers,

The timekeeper rings a bell three times to signal the start of a round of Zazen,

Or Zen meditation.

As a signal,

The three rings are very practical.

Everyone knows exactly what it's about to take place.

From a spiritual perspective,

We engage in a practice referred to as the Samadhi of the bell.

Samadhi is a Sanskrit term that means absorption or concentration.

I prefer to use the term absorption because while our attention is focused on the experience of the bell ringing,

We are not actively or forcefully concentrating.

Rather,

We're simply giving the experience of the sound our full attention.

But this full attention is a relaxed attention.

It's not forceful.

We simply remain open to the sounds rising and falling and aware of its impact on us.

This practice is part of the preparation for the meditation practice.

It helps to center and calm the mind.

However,

It is also a practice within itself.

When the bell rings,

You're invited to hear it with your whole heart and mind,

Or with your whole being,

With your whole body.

You can feel the bell as an invitation to go beyond the sound as simply a signal.

You absorb the sound with all of your senses.

You allow every fiber of your being to soak up the sound like a sponge.

So when the bell rings,

Feel the sound entering and permeating your body and mind.

And just stay with the sound.

Watch it resonate and slowly fade.

And as it fades,

Feel the deepening and centering into the present moment that occurs.

You might feel the presence of the larger environment flowing in.

You might take notice of a tendency for the mind to drift off into some preoccupation.

Or you might become distracted from the sound of the bell by your thoughts.

Simply notice that and gently return to the sound and feel the bell.

Gradually,

As the sound fades,

Feel the deepening awareness of the present moment.

Let's work with it a bit.

Different lineages in the Soto Zen tradition time the three strikes of the bell differently.

At the Two Rivers Zen community here in Narrowsburg,

New York,

We follow the way of our teacher and tradition.

So we leave a space of about six seconds between the first and second rings.

And then we leave a space of about five seconds between the second and the third ring.

The third ring is also often a bit softer than the first two rings.

This practice of timing the rings helps to create a sense of consistency and predictability.

We know what to expect,

Which helps to calm the mind.

So let's practice a few rounds.

You'll hear three rings and a minute or two of silent space in between each round.

Then we'll end with one ring of the bell.

So to prepare for the practice,

Please have a gentle check on your posture.

Your spine is erect,

But it's not stiff.

Your shoulders are relaxed,

Eyes slightly open with the gaze at about a 45 degree angle to the floor.

If this is difficult for you,

It's okay to keep your eyes open.

But make sure your eyelids are relaxed.

The left hand rests in the right palm with the thumb tip slightly touching.

Now take a couple of slow deep breaths,

Exhaling completely through the nostrils,

And then let the breath relax,

Flowing in and out on its own,

As if the breath were breathing the body.

Now let's take a few moments to settle into your posture and then we'll begin.

Whoa.

Now gently check your posture,

Scanning your body.

Shoulders erect but not stiff.

Arms relaxed.

Bell LIAM Jingle Wishing or waiting,

Amento.

And we'll prepare now for a final round.

So again,

Gently check your posture.

Shoulders are relaxed.

Chin is tucked in slightly.

Eyes are slightly open.

Or if they're closed,

They're not tight.

Thumb tips are gently touching.

Spine is erect,

But not stiff.

Thank you for your practice and for your participation.

And of course,

If you have any questions,

Comments,

Observations,

Or insights,

Please do share.

I always very much appreciate hearing from you.

Your comments are both inspiring and instructive.

May you and all whom you come into contact with feel the peacefulness of your continued practice.

Reviews

Seiso,
The journey of learning Zazen with you is a blessing.
Thank you so much for the way you share the príncipes and fundamentals of the practice.
Have a beautiful day.
Fernanda

Thank you, Seiso 🙏 I appreciated the discussion about the term ‘absorption’ and the subtle distinction from ‘concentration’ - that resonated for me. I also appreciate your gentle, authentic, kind guidance and approach. I can feel that you care, and that means the world. Thank you 🙏

Many bows

Thank you so much - I always enjoy your explanations !!

I appreciate the calming and stilling influence of absorption in the sound of the bell. Your talk helped clarify this aspect which I was only partly aware of. Thank you Sensei.

i love the simplicity of the practice, opening a space of stillness and equanimity.

I really needed your kind guidance. Thanks! and I hope you put out new instructions soon.

Thank you. I appreciate this series of simple instructions. It has inspired me to join a Zen meditation group in my area to continue deepening my practice. 🙏🏼

I enjoyed this lesson. Thank you for your kindness.

Pleasant. Allows for a better preparation to ease into zazen

Righteous zen ... good to encounter it again after many years of wondering elsewhere ...

Thank you for this would like to come visit in narrowsburg I’m in NJ. I’d like to learn more about quieting my monkey mind 🙏

Thank you very much! I am always practising at home with instruction, and this guidance is very good, will sit with it regularily.