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Meditation

The Way of Balance

“Meditation is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Zazen Meditation Training

Monthly

19:00PM – 21:00PM

Meditation training sessions happen online via Zoom

Unlike generic Meditation Apps, our instructors and teachings offer you personalized guidance on a step-by-step evolutionary path to self-discovery and inner harmony. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, engage this easily accessible opportunity and awaken to your True Nature and find joy and solace in the serene landscapes of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body.

BEZA Meditation training is by donation.

Born as the Earth Zen Academy | BEZA | Elemental | Zen | Mentoring | Meditation | Generational Healing | Ancestors | Divination | Shamanic | Shamanism | Gatekeeper | DANA | Community Council | Buddhism | Spirituality | Nature | Mindfulness | Enlightenment | Awakening | Daido Roshi | Consciousness | Holistic | True Self | Wisdom | Medicine

Elemental Meditation Training

Monthly

19:00PM – 21:00PM

Training sessions happen online via Zoom

Elemental Meditation training applies similar Zazen Meditation techniques except where you work with the breath in Zazen – in Elemental Meditation you learn how to meditate with one of the 5 Earth Elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Nature, Stone).

This meditation training focusses your attention on the specific element and develops a profound intimacy with your inner/outer elemental nature. Developing this practice helps you to be in nature with these elements in a more profound way. It also helps to regulate and balance how these cosmological elements are constituted in your being.

BEZA Meditation training is by donation.

Daily Meditation Sessions

*Meditation Training is required to join the online Zen Meditation sessions:

Mornings

Monday – Friday: 07:00AM – 08:00AM

Evenings

Tuesday & Thursday 20:00PM – 21:00PM 

Sessions happen online via Zoom

We plant a tree for every training you attend. We help restore your inner and outer environment.

Meditation Retreats

Step away from the hustle and immerse yourself in a serene oasis of calm with our rejuvenating meditation retreats. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to meditation, our carefully curated retreats offer a sanctuary for self-discovery and mindfulness. Nestled in nature’s embrace, you’ll find solace in guided sessions, holistic practices, and serene surroundings. Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with your inner essence. Embrace the stillness you’ve been seeking – book your spot in our upcoming meditation retreat and embark on a path to profound serenity.

Embark on a Transformational Journey

Zen Meditation (Zazen) is the ultimate sustainability and resiliency practice. To meditate is completely natural. It is through meditation that we begin to train our mind to become less erratic and more focused. During the unfolding stages of practice and training you will become increasingly flexible, determined, and clear in body and mind.

The mind, and consequently the body, becomes more open, relaxed, and present. Stress is released and you will become more insightful, peaceful, and connected. Frustrations and limitations begin to dissolve. A confident sense of stable presence supports your capacity to evolve into your latent potential and life purpose.

Extractive and scarcity mindsets begin to give way to an emerging interconnectedness with your true nature and the environment around you. Meditation inclines you toward creating abundance. As a result, you will begin to nourish life everywhere. As practice develops, compassion and intimacy with all life grows.

Authentic Guidance

It’s important to note that the benefits of zazen meditation may vary from person to person, and they often become more pronounced with regular and consistent practice over time. Additionally, the holistic nature of these benefits makes zazen a valuable practice for overall well-being and personal growth.

Our experienced instructors specialize in zazen meditation instruction. They have deep knowledge and expertise in Zen Buddhism, offering you authentic guidance to develop and deepen your meditation practice.

Through our meditation instruction, you’ll learn to integrate mindfulness into every aspect of your life. Develop the ability to stay present, centered, and aware in the midst of daily activities, bringing greater peace, clarity and efficiency to your interactions, work, and personal well-being.

Born as the Earth Zen Academy | BEZA | Elemental | Zen | Mentoring | Meditation | Generational Healing | Ancestors | Divination | Shamanic | Shamanism | Gatekeeper | DANA | Community Council | Buddhism | Spirituality | Nature | Mindfulness | Enlightenment | Awakening | Daido Roshi | Consciousness | Holistic | True Self | Wisdom | Medicine

I attended BEZA’s meditation training earlier this year, and have been joining the daily meditations since then. I have been meditating for many years, but Nangaku’s clear, eloquent teachings really get to the heart of the practice, and have given me deeper insight and, critically, the motivation to maintain a regular meditation practice. During the daily meditations Nangaku offers help with challenges that arise in the practice, and the guidance that he has given me has been invaluable.
His depth of knowledge, wisdom, sensitivity and commitment are clear. I felt the positive benefits of the practice almost immediately and am calmer, more focused and more embodied. The teachings and daily practice have been a great gift in my life and I wholeheartedly recommend BEZA.

Gill

Zazen Meditation Benefits

Spiritual Benefits
  • Deepened Spiritual Connection: Practicing zazen leads to a profound sense of spiritual interconnectedness.
  • Awakening: Zazen is a path to spiritual awakening or enlightenment, offering a deeper awareness of reality and your existence.
  • Inner Peace: The practice leads to a profound sense of inner peace and equanimity.
  • Greater Wisdom: Zazen cultivates wisdom and insight into the nature of reality and the self.
  • Alignment with Values: Practitioners find that zazen helps them align with their core values and purpose in life.
Emotional Benefits
  • Stress Reduction: Zazen reduces stress and anxiety, fostering emotional well-being.
  • Emotional Resilience: Regular practice increases emotional resilience, helping individuals cope with life’s challenges.
  • Enhanced Compassion: Zazen promotes empathy and compassion, leading to improved relationships with oneself and others.
  • Increased Self-Awareness: The practice encourages self-reflection and self-awareness, aiding in emotional growth.
  • Reduced Depression: Zazen has been associated with reductions in symptoms of depression and a more positive outlook on life.
Mental Benefits
  • Increased Focus: Zazen cultivates concentration and the ability to sustain attention, improving focus in daily life.
  • Stress Reduction: Regular practice reduces the body’s stress response and enhances resilience to stressors.
  • Clarity of Mind: Zazen promotes mental clarity, helping individuals see through mental clutter and distractions.
  • Improved Memory: Enhanced concentration and mental clarity leads to better memory retention.
  • Emotional Regulation: Zazen encourages observing emotions without attachment, leading to wholesome emotional regulation and reduced reactivity.
Physical Benefits
  • Improved Posture: Zazen encourages an upright and stable posture, which promotes improved spinal health and alleviates back pain.
  • Enhanced Relaxation: Regular practice leads to reduced muscle tension and a more relaxed physical state.
  • Lowered Blood Pressure: Zazen has shown to reduce blood pressure, contributing to cardiovascular health.
  • Improved Breathing: Mindful attention to the breath in zazen restores respiratory function and lung capacity.
  • Enhanced Sleep: Practicing zazen before sleep alleviates insomnia and promotes restful sleep patterns.
Social Benefits
  • Enhanced Relationships: Zazen encourages mindful and compassionate interactions, leading to improved relationships with others.
  • Conflict Resolution: Improved emotional regulation and empathy aids in resolving conflicts peacefully.
  • Community Connection: Zazen is often practiced in a community setting, fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Earthen Zen

The Elemental Journal

Illustration of the hara, or energy center, at BEZA’s Zen Academy in Cape Town, Western Cape, emphasizing its role in mindfulness, balance, and connection during Zen meditation practices.

The Body’s Center: How the Hara, or Center of Gravity Functions in All Body Practices

In the realm of body practices, there exists a fundamental concept that serves as the anchor for balance, strength, and movement coordination. This concept is none other than the "Hara," often referred to as the core or center of gravity. Whether you're practicing yoga, martial arts, dance, or any physical discipline, understanding the significance of the hara is crucial for…
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Illustration of the hara, or energy center, at BEZA’s Zen Academy in Cape Town, Western Cape, emphasizing its role in mindfulness, balance, and connection during Zen meditation practices.

Body Mechanics, Hara and Healing

Body mechanics in simple terms is how we use and hold our bodies in our day-to-day lives. In technical terms, good body mechanics means using the body’s strength to the best mechanical advantage to do a task efficiently and without injury. Sometimes, this involves manipulating the way in which a task is done. Body mechanics are utilized in day-to-day tasks…
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Illustration of a water molecule at BEZA’s Zen Academy in Cape Town, Western Cape, highlighting the connection between science and spirituality in mindfulness practices and the Element of Water.

Dr. Masaru Emoto: How Emotion Influences Water

Water, the elixir of life, has been revered for its purity and essential role in sustaining all living beings on our planet. Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher, introduced a fascinating perspective on water's properties by studying the influence of human emotions on its molecular structure. His pioneering work in the field of water crystal experiments has sparked both wonder…
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