Zen Center provides an outlet for meditating

Marked by a small paper sign on the otherwise inconspicuous looking door on the courthouse square is the Bloomington Zen Center, 107 N. College Ave. Various groups use the Center for meetings, education and meditation. Every Sunday afternoon, people come here to practice Mindfulness meditation.\n"All religions have some form of meditation," said Daniel Logan, a graduate student and facilitator of the Mindfulness Meditation Group. "Mindfulness is an old concept in Buddhism." \nJohn McRae, associate professor of religious studies, said meditation was once practiced only by monks and nuns, but has since moved outside of the monastery.\n"It involves paying attention to both the mind and its thoughts and the body and its feelings," he said. \nThe group begins meetings with discussion. It is a forum for upcoming events, education, and philosophy, as well as a support group and a place to form connections. \nPeople come to the group for many different reasons and from varying backgrounds. \n"I found the (Zen) Center through an ad in the Independent," graduate student Edwin Davison said.\nFor some, personal crisis was the catalyst for meditation, some were inspired by other practicioners, and others came out of curiosity.\nJefferson Davis, a Bloomington resident who attended the group for the first time several weeks ago, attributes meditation to helping him deal with difficult problems in his life, and to allowing him to discontinue use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications.\nFollowing discussion, the group moves into a separate room for meditation. It is quiet and dimly lit. People choose different ways to sit, whatever feels the most comfortable. The length of the sittings is usually 20 to 45 minutes long depending on the group. \n"We don't expect new people to be able to sit for 45 minutes," Logan said. \nThere are many ways to practice meditation. Mindfulness meditation, a practice from Southeast Asia, is also known as Vipassana meditation. Vipassana means to "see clearly." \n"At the simplest level, meditating means being mindful or aware of your breath," Logan said. "The reason for meditation is to see things as they are. By doing this, according to Buddhist teaching, a person becomes liberated from suffering."\n"The term mindfulness has been broadened beyond its strict Therevada origin to include perspectives that are not solely based in the Buddhist doctrine. This broader understanding is an important element in our group," Logan said. \nMeditation has grown in the United States, but many people still misunderstand it. \n"I'm cautious of the language I use around some people," said Bloomington resident Martha Sattinger, in attendance at the group. "If I say that I am sitting in prayer, that is perfectly fine, but if I say I am meditating, it is viewed as something entirely different."\nMeditation has often come to be associated with stress reduction. Given the number of stress-related problems in the United States, it is not surprising to hear so much about this aspect of meditation. \n"Many people are drawn to the practice to reduce stress and find a deeper understanding and sustaining philosophy on life," Logan said. \nAs the meditation comes to an end, people talk, put their shoes on, confirm plans for the following week and begin to head home for the evening.