Part I: Correlation Zen and Yogic Meditation
Part II: Effect of Yoga on Somatic Indicators of Distress in Healthy Volunteers
By
Shirane Masanobu

Abstract
Part I: Correlation Zen and Yogic Meditation

In the spiritual view of life, the purpose of our existence is to realize our spiritual nature, to realize God. Various scriptures stress the importance of meditation for spiritual realization. The Chändogya Upaniñat exhorts us: “Being tranquil, meditate.” The same Upaniñat describes meditation as the key to success.Çré Kåñëa, in the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gétä, describes the process of meditation in detail, instructing his disciple to become a man of meditation (yogé) because the yogé excels all.Pataïjali, the original teacher of yoga, said: “Meditation is uninterrupted thinking of one thought.” It is like pouring oil from one vessel to another. Swami Vivekananda said: “Meditation is the focusing of the mind on some object. If the mind acquires concentration on one object, it can concentrate on any object whatsoever.”There are two types of meditation. One general type of meditation is to witness the workings of the mind without trying to suppress or direct thought that arise. Another type of meditation is to think excellent thoughts.Buddhist recommends meditation on the transitoriness of all things. The phenomenal world, composed of the same gross and subtle elements as our bodies and minds, appears intensely real to us. Our minds naturally seek what we believe to be real. Attachment to the objects and people of this world obstruct our view of the changeless Reality. When we think deeply on the composite and impermanent nature of all things, our homes, our friends, and family, even our own bodies and minds, our attachment to these things decreases. We begin to realize these things are not real and permanent as they appear at first glace.Zen Meditation or Zazen is a part of Zen Buddhism. A part of Mahäyäna Buddhism, Zen places an importance on experiencing life as it is, without any structure or belief system.

Conclusion

There are so many various meditation techniques which promote individual purification and potential Divinity. These meditation techniques originated from India and were spread in eastern Asia mainly. Zazen is the one of these meditation techniques based on Zen philosophy started from Buddhism, now practised in all over the world.In India, there are two types of meditation. The one aims at the purification of mind, and the another aims at contemplation of Brahman. After purifying the mind, meditator can contemplate Brahman.Original meditations in India have long history and tradition. On the way of the history, one of meditation technique was introduced as Zen from India to China, from China to Japan.After coming to Japan, Zen was separated into several sects. Each sect of Zen has each meditation technique (Zazen). Almost of all Zen sects in Japan are philosophy rather than religion, therefore, these sects have no God. That is one of the features of Zen. However, the goal of all meditation techniques is ending the mind to absolute silence and purification.

Part II: Effect of Yoga on Somatic Indicators of Distress in Healthy Volunteers

One hundred and fifty six normal volunteers were drawn from a large sample of individuals who were attending a one-week yoga camp. Somatic indications of distress based on a subsection of the Symptom checklist-90-Revised were assessed at the beginning (Day 1) and end (Day 7) of the camp. Volunteers were asked to give their first choice of a stress coping strategy, from six choices, given to them on Day 1. They were sub-categorized as those who used (i) philosophical, (ii) interpersonal, or (iii) denial coping strategies. Those who used philosophical coping strategies showed the most reduction in somatization of stress, after yoga.

CONCLUSION

Seven days of yoga practice resulted in the reduction of all three subgroups viz. philosophical 40.27%, interpersonal 29.32% and denial group4.33%.
It is clear that Yoga intervention of 7days camp improve somatizations of all these three groups. In this study those who chose the philosophical strategy in daily life was most improved in somatizations after 7days yoga practice.

Keywords: Yogaic meditation,correlation zen,distress.