A zen state of mind

"It is not I. You are not I. You are part of the universe. You are the universe." - Phuc Phan ('13)

Noah Nelsen-Gross / Chips

The colors on the bluff line are beautiful this time of year, calming and thought-inducing.

There is something meditative about autumn; everything is dying to once again be born anew.

This is the backdrop for the Ryumonji Zen Monastery, set in the bluffs twenty miles northeast of Luther College. The landscape is gorgeous, relaxing, and it is the perfect location to begin a possible transformation through the Buddhist practice of meditation.
At first glance, rural Iowa seems an odd setting for a Zen monastery. On the surface, the target audience for meditation would not seem to be the primarily Caucasian, northern European descended, country-born-and-raised populace that is typical of this area.

However, just the fact that it exists offers an opportunity for students, teachers and citizens alike – an opportunity that some students and staff have taken advantage of in the past.
Phuc Phan (‘13) has frequented meditation services in the past.

Noah Nelsen-Gross / Chips

“Buddhism encourages you to look at other people, look at their lives and gain empathy and compassion,” Phan said. “It emphasizes the insignificance of yourself. It encourages you to get rid of your ego and your desire, and that’s the goal for happiness.”

This may seem like it is a completely different way to approach life, and for some, it is. While American culture tends to focus on individual success and achievement, Buddhism approaches life in a much more collective sense. It teaches that by truly becoming one with yourself, you gain the ability to interact in a more positive manner with others.

A primary way in which those practicing Buddhism accomplish this oneness is through the art of meditation, but meditation is not an easy process for those who are not used to it.
“It’s hard, it’s really hard, to sit still for forty minutes if you really don’t know what the purpose of it is,” Phan said. “But I would really encourage anyone to give it a shot.

For many, meditation can be an incredibly powerful, soul-searching experience. The monastery holds sessions that are open to the public Thursday nights at 7:30 and Sunday mornings at 9:00. All information and directions to the monastery can be found on its website, www.ryumonji.org.