We visited the Zen Meditation in Madison. I was really looking forward to this trip because I have never meditated before and was really curious as to what went on during meditation. I didn't expect anything visual appealing because Professor Waldmeir had set us up for a non-visually appealing space. I was pretty impressed by the decorations in the room.
As we entered the center, we were all instructed to take our shoes off. We were all seated in a circle on big mats. Others gathered around sitting in chairs. Dave, a leader in the meditation center, gave a us lots of insight as to what goes on within the practice of Zen. He was very insightful and I gathered a lot of information from him. They let us in on their formal ceremony. A women stood up and walked over their altar. She lit candles and inscents. I noticed that she bowed a lot. After everything important that they do, they bow. The woman then handed a what looked like to be a musical instruament. This instraument was used keep the rythmn when we chanted. The other guy seated next to Dave ( I didn't catch his name), got up and did a bell ceremony. This was the opening of our ceremony. He chanted and I found it fascinating. I loved every minute of it. He wanted us to become with the bell sound he kept making. He told us to not let anything come between us and the bell. I found this to be very comforting. It is not everyday where you concentrate on one thing.
After some of the chanting, we did a 10 minute meditation. Oh man! Talk about a challenge. I am a very animated and talkative person. To sit there in silence and not move was a big accomplishment : ) It was such a crazy feeling to in the here and now of our crazy world. It was rather refreshing. I really enjoyed the trip to the Zen Center. I loved how they were so welcoming to us being there. They really opened up their space and clued us into what was going on during the ceremony.
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