Schools & Meditations.
-=- Sitting in the Zazen position as one Meditates. -=-
-=- Sitting on heels, without kneeling. -=-
In the Kara-Tur (lands to the far east) there are faiths based on the Cult of the Ancestors, and paths that lead to the Enlightenment (Enlightenment is the Full Development of one's Mind).
Both are very popular and have quite the nubers of practicioneers.
Since the first Enlightened One in our Era, many ways leading to Enlightenment were discovered, and many Schools appeared, each with different methods leading to the same goal (the Enlightenment).
Among the many paths leading to Enlightenment, the most popular are two:
Tantric practices, based on Identification with the Teacher, and on Meditations in the Lotus or Half-Lotus positions,
Sutra practices, based on studying the Enlightening Lore and on Meditations in the Zazen position.
There are also 'lesser' Schools that lead to the lesser form of the Enlightenment, called: 'Liberation'. After the Liberation (from one's suffering), one can develop the Mind further and reach the Enlightenment anyway. Even in the Tantric and Sutra Schools, one reaches Liberation first, before reaching the Enlightenment. It's said that the fastest Way to Enlightenment is Tantra, then Sutra... with 'lesser' Schools being considering easiest but the most time-consuming of the Ways.
Many mistake the Zazen sitting position with kneeling, but in fact it's sitting on one's heels, not the kneeling as is practiced in Religions of Faith during their prayers.
I was introduced mostly to the Sutras and the Zazen meditations, in the School called: 'Zen'.
Meditation turns the theoretical lore one learns, into the experiences felt. Meditation brings out calmness, peace, serenity and focus to one's life path. In my case, it allows me to stay calm, brave and focused in fight. It also encourages me to be more peaceful.
When I worship deities as Tempus, Kenji or Red Knight, I become more fierce. Faith makes me hostile, and meditation makes me peaceful.
When one has body and mind trained, prepared for combat, the fights resemble the chess game. One observes the opponent, makes decisions, and speaks Mantras in Mind. Then the body follows, automatically executing the maneuvers and strikes. Repetitions of techniques trains one's Body, Meditation trains one's Mind.
And - of course - studying the Sutra texts and doing the Meditations leads me to the Enlightenment, but that will happen probably in future lives (we believe in Reincarnations). Meanwhile it's still beneficial, as it makes me a better warrior.
-- Kenna, Spiritual Warrioress, Always in Training.