Apprentice Training
“There are mountains hidden in hiddenness…”

“There are mountains hidden in hiddenness…”

by | Sep 19, 2024 | Beyond the Edge, Stone

Shamanic Gatekeeper Apprentice Training:

Creative module of STONE.

Dear Beautiful Creative Being,

Starting on the 5th October, a cohort of deeply curious and dedicated BEZA students and apprentices will embark on an 8 week deep dive into the creative power of stones.

 

THE CREATIVE POWER OF STONES!?  Yes, you read that right!  

 

“When we connect with our bones, the stones of our bodies, we connect with the powerful medicine of the mountains.”

Sharmanic Gatekeeper Apprentice Training

Creative module of STONE

Dear Beautiful Creative Being

Starting on the 5th October, a cohort of deeply curious and dedicated BEZA students and apprentices will embark on an 8 week deep dive into the creative power of stones.

THE CREATIVE POWER OF STONES!?  Yes, you read that right!  

“When we connect with our bones, the stones of our bodies, we connect with the powerful medicine of the mountains.”

Spiritual seekers have been going into the mountains for millennia. They have gone into the spacious, hidden mysteries of the stones to clarify, ground and empower themselves, returning back to the villages to heal and liberate all beings.

You are invited to come and learn with us – to become channels for the wisdom that originates from Mother Earth herself. We will learn how the stones – our bones, the mountains, minerals and metals, when combined or collided, create form – a resonating vibration that travels into the world.

By traveling into the deep memory of your bones, you will come to realize and embrace yourself as the creator! With this response-ability you’ll find power, and with this power an ancient knowing – that what you experience is a reflective resonance of your creation.

The stones and our bones are condensed energy – condensed power. Power and creation are synonomous. Entering our bones we access the power of the creativity to manifest who it is we are.

The time is now to bring that powerful force of creation into manifestation!

This training is for the committed, eager to uncover their limitless creativity. It is through resonance – telling our story, communication, leading, organizing and networking that we manifest our lives. When we study stones we re-cognizethat the bones of our body and their connection to the ancient stories of our being can be engaged to supercharge our creative ability – and hence our freedom.

We explore Stone’s intrinsic power and strength; their capacity for recording and storing information; and how their minerals are the structural building blocks of our bodies and minds, and all communication or transmission channels.

Stones hold a storehouse of secrets. Our evolution has depended on them. They were our first tools; our first art; symbolised our first myths; and the first sounds and languages. Stones have oriented our human collective from conception through to memorialised immortality. Gatekeepers to unknown realms, they inspire us to their noblest peaks and, they become barring barriers and porous boundaries.

The Stones and Mountains – they give us perspective and concepts like duality and unified fields of infinity. They are a record of our travels through tyrannical times to the sweetness of space. By their power and grandeur, our bones – the stones, propel us forward. They fuel our reach as far as far can lead – often to forgetfulness. Yet, they help us remember. Since forever, it has been so.

We all can remember The Way – to those ‘mountains hidden in hiddenness’ where, in their darkest depths, ‘stone women with nothing but eyeball’s in their skulls’ are mystically giving birth to ‘newborns in the night’.

We invite you to join the Creative Stone Module and remember who you are in your bones – to know your purpose, and work with the Stones to express yourself and make yourself whole with the Earth.

All you could ever wish to know is in your hands – a Gatekeeper you are, a Mountain of infinite wisdom. You know this in the stoney-bones of your Earthen body.

Just Ask is the translated name of the powerful mountain shaman who brought me back home through the stones. All you have to do to come back home is just ask.

Ekan Nangaku

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
Make Way for your Creative Expression!
  • Return home to your true, whole self and become a Facilitator in the New Earth Consciousness Revolution
  • Regain sovereignty over your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical intelligence.
  • Access your full potential and serve all beings through wisely dispensing your Medicine Gifts
Throughout the training you will have access to empowering wisdom:
  • Personal development within a spiritual community
  • Integrative training supported by Level II & III students
  • 80hrs contact time per elemental module
  • Inclusive of supportive embodiment modalities: meditation, mentoring, community council, divination, yoga, Qi Gong, breath work, creative arts, movement and more.
Apply Here
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
Make Way for your Creative Expression!
  • Return home to your true, whole self and become a Facilitator in the New Earth Consciousness Revolution
  • Regain sovereignty over your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical intelligence.
  • Access your full potential and serve all beings through wisely dispensing your Medicine Gifts
Throughout the training you will have access to empowering wisdom:
  • Personal development within a spiritual community
  • Integrative training supported by Level II & III students
  • 80hrs contact time per elemental module
  • Inclusive of supportive embodiment modalities: meditation, mentoring, community council, divination, yoga, Qi Gong, breath work, creative arts, movement and more.
Apply Here
BEZA turns Two!

BEZA turns Two!

by | Sep 19, 2024 | Beyond the Edge

The Road Less Travelled:

Making a difference.

Dear BEZA friends,

It was two years ago on the 2nd of September 2022 when BEZA welcomed our first 3 Apprentices for our opening training aptly named the Visionary Fire Module. Working with the energy of a new moon, the initiates gained entry to age-old methodologies and learned how to access inspiration, intuition, and heal generational wounding.

The Road Less Travelled

Making a difference

Dear BEZA friends,

It was two years ago on the 2nd of September 2022 when BEZA welcomed our first 3 Apprentices for our opening training aptly named the Visionary Fire Module. Working with the energy of a new moon, the initiates gained entry to age-old methodologies and learned how to access inspiration, intuition, and heal generational wounding.

This 2nd anniversary is a marker on our short journey. It is a moment to peek over our shoulders and see the less travelled road we had taken, and how it has made all the difference.

Without any budget, media platforms, name recognition, or desire for compensation, we opened the gates to BEZA’s online curriculum. With trust, a deep vow, open-hearted generosity, and a vision of merging two ancient spiritual lineages we began offering their conjoined wisdom.

Within 2 weeks of our launch back in 2022 I became a monk. This came with responsibility, empowerment and resolute faith to practice the first teaching I received from Seido Roshi at the ordination. Knowing little of what was before me, I asked Roshi for any guidance he had to offer…

“Open hands,” was his simple answer. And so, opening my hands, I let go of any expectation of what BEZA may become, and vowed to receive and serve the immeasurable perfection of the Buddha Way, the profundity of the Dharma, and the rare jewel of Sangha.

Since then we have been facilitating the homeward journey of over 120 awakening Buddhas in our steadily growing Sangha, 10 of whom have become formal students, two of whom are student facilitators. Together have planted over 300 indigenous trees – one for each who has come to taste the Dharma.

We continue to teach and learn with the cycles of the moon. As we approach the culmination of our second year of Apprentice Training, 16 apprentices will conclude the Medicine of Nature Module as they journey around the Medicine Wheel. Attendance in our daily meditations is regular and growing. Community Council has introduced the ancient art of the talking circle to over one hundred people. Since our birthing, we have had the privilege of performing over 200 divinations and 500 mentoring sessions for aspirants along the way.

Recently, BEZA hosted its first international student for a 21 day shamanic journey into the culture, landscape and spirituality of South Africa -an expanded journey is planned for November 2025. In May next year, a group of BEZA students and apprentices will travel to Japan and meet Seido Roshi at his international training monastery to receive the Buddhist precepts.

By the end of 2024, Born as the Earth Zen Academy will be registered as a non-profit.

Though we have only just begun, and as yet do not have our own land, BEZA is grounded firmly in the spirit of lineage. We take refuge in having received the baton from thousands of years of teacher-student transmissions and willingly carry this responsibility to share these sacred teachings with generations to come.

From no thing at all, BEZA, its Dharma and Sangha are blooming into flower. Noble seekers have come, received and offered gifts of generosity into a space created with, and for, well… generosity. The teaching of ‘Open hands’ is opening hearts. This spirit is materializing into substance, a new ground of abundance, where friends find new eyes and new pathways to horizons beyond the edge of what they thought was possible.

For all sentient beings, indeed for a New Earth, this is happening beyond any expectation.

May we each continue to water anuttarasamyak-sambodhi – the absolute ground of being, with love.

Honey in the Heart, 13 Thank-you’s.

Ekan Nangaku 

Silent Zen Meditation: A Path to Inner Peace and Self-Awareness

by | Mar 10, 2023 | Water, Zen Buddhism

Discover more as we explore the Benefits and Techniques of Practicing Silent Zen Meditation for Mental Clarity, Emotional Balance, and Spiritual Growth.

– Composed by Ekan Nangaku and Duane Steffens

Introduction

Silent Zen meditation is a form of meditation that involves sitting in a relaxed yet alert posture and focusing on the breath while maintaining a quiet and still mind. It is a practice that has been around for centuries and is rooted in the Buddhist tradition of Zen. In this article, we will explore the history and benefits of silent Zen meditation, the challenges that one may encounter during the practice, and how to integrate it into daily life.

Understanding Silent Zen Meditation

Zen meditation is a practice that originated in China over 1,500 years ago and was later introduced to Japan, where it became the foundation of the Zen Buddhist tradition. Zen meditation involves sitting in a cross-legged posture on a cushion or a chair with the back straight and the hands resting in the lap. The eyes can be kept open or closed, depending on personal preference or stage of practice.

During meditation, the focus is on the breath, which is used as an anchor to keep the mind from wandering. The practice is to observe thoughts and feelings as they arise, without getting caught up in them, and return to the breath whenever the mind wanders. This practice cultivates a state of mental stillness and calm, which can lead to greater self-awareness and a deeper sense of inner peace.

Posture is an important aspect of zazen, as it helps to create a stable and comfortable foundation for the practice. Sitting cross-legged on a cushion or a chair with the back straight helps to keep the body aligned and relaxed, allowing for a more efficient flow of breath. It is recommended to use a cushion or a folded blanket to support the hips and the knees, as this helps to reduce strain on the lower back and promotes a relaxed posture.

Breath control is another crucial component of zazen meditation. Focusing on the breath helps to maintain concentration and calmness. It is common to count the breath and focus on the sensation of the breath moving in and out of the body.

Benefits of Zazen – Zen Meditation

There are many benefits to practicing silent Zen meditation regularly. Here are some of the most common ones:

Improved focus and concentration

By focusing on the breath and learning to observe thoughts without getting caught up in them, zazen can improve one’s ability to concentrate and stay focused. This can be especially helpful for people who struggle with distractions and a wandering mind.

Reduction of stress and anxiety

Zen meditation can also be a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety. By cultivating a state of calmness and stillness in the mind, the practice can help to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body and promote relaxation.

Increased self-awareness and mindfulness

Through the practice of zazen, one can develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and mindfulness. By observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment, one can learn to better understand oneself and one’s patterns of behavior, which can lead to greater personal growth and self-improvement.

Increased compassion and empathy

Zen meditation can also promote feelings of compassion and empathy towards oneself and others. By learning to observe one’s own thoughts and feelings with acceptance and kindness, one can develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding towards others, which can lead to more harmonious relationships and a greater sense of connection with the world.

Improved sleep quality

Research has shown that regular meditation practice can improve sleep quality by reducing the levels of stress and anxiety that can interfere with sleep. Silent Zen meditation can be particularly helpful in this regard, as it promotes a state of relaxation and calmness that can help to induce sleepiness.

Improved immune system function

Studies have also shown that regular meditation practice can boost the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, which help to fight off infections and cancer cells.

Common Challenges of Silent Meditation

While the benefits of silent Zen meditation are many, there are also some common challenges that one may encounter during the practice. Here are some of the most common ones

Difficulty in achieving a clear mind

Many people struggle with achieving a clear and still mind during silent meditation. This can be especially challenging for beginners who are not used to sitting in stillness for extended periods of time. However, with practice and persistence, it is possible to develop greater mental clarity and stillness.

Physical discomfort and pain

Sitting cross-legged for extended periods of time can also be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. This can be due to tightness or stiffness in the hips, knees, or lower back. However, there are many modifications and adjustments that can be made to the posture to make it more comfortable and sustainable.

Distracting thoughts and emotions

Another common challenge of zazen is dealing with distracting thoughts and emotions. It is common for the mind to wander during the practice, and for thoughts and emotions to arise that can be distracting or unsettling. However, with practice, one can learn to observe these thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them, and return to the breath.

 

How to Overcome Common Challenges of Meditation.

Here are some techniques for overcoming common challenges of silent Zen meditation:

Acceptance and non-judgment

One of the keys to deepening your Zen meditation is learning to accept whatever arises in the mind, without judgment or criticism. This includes accepting physical discomfort, distracting thoughts, and difficult emotions. By learning to observe these experiences with kindness and acceptance, one can cultivate greater equanimity and stillness in the mind.

Patience and persistence

Zen meditation is a practice that requires patience and persistence. It can take time to develop the ability to focus the mind and achieve a state of stillness, especially for beginners. However, with regular practice and a commitment to the process, one can make steady progress over time.

Modifications and adjustments to posture

If physical discomfort or pain is a barrier to meditation practice, there are many modifications and adjustments that can be made to the posture to make it more comfortable and sustainable. This may include sitting on a cushion or block to elevate the hips, using a chair for support, or using props to support the knees or lower back.

Conclusion

Silent Zen meditation is a powerful tool for cultivating stillness, focus, and self-awareness. By learning to observe one’s thoughts and emotions with acceptance and kindness, one can develop greater mental clarity and resilience, as well as a deeper sense of connection with oneself and the world around them. While there may be challenges along the way, with patience, persistence, and the right strategies, anyone can learn to practice Zen meditation and reap the benefits it has to offer.

FAQs

Is it necessary to practice Zen meditation for long periods of time?

No, it is not necessary to practice for long periods of time to experience the benefits of Zen meditation. Even a few minutes a day can be beneficial, and one can gradually increase the length of their practice as they become more comfortable and skilled.

Do I need to be Buddhist to practice silent Zen meditation?

No, one does not need to be Buddhist to practice Zen meditation. While it has its roots in Buddhism, the practice is open to people of all faiths or no faith.

Can I practice Zen meditation on my own, or do I need a teacher?

While it is possible to practice on your own, having a teacher or guide can be helpful, especially for beginners. A teacher can provide instruction and support for the practice, as well as help to address any challenges or obstacles that may arise.

Is it normal to experience physical discomfort during Zen meditation?

Yes, it is normal to experience physical discomfort during Zen meditation, especially if one is not used to sitting in stillness for extended periods of time. However, there are many modifications and adjustments that can be made to the posture to make it more comfortable and sustainable.

Can Zen meditation be practiced in a group setting?

Yes, silent Zen meditation can be practiced in a group setting, such as a meditation center or retreat. Practicing with others can provide support and encouragement, as well as deepen one’s sense of connection with others and the wider world.