If you had to pinpoint one thing that is essential in the Buddhist practice it would have to be meditation. It is a deep breathing exercise that works to clear stress and helps focus concentration. Many people mistakenly believe that meditation only involves taking deep breaths but there is more to Zen meditation than just that. The practice of Buddhist meditation is one as old as the religion itself and it plays a fundamental role in achieving balance and harmony in a person's life.

If you are going to practice Zen meditation, then you are going to have to use the zazen. The zazen is all of the positions, breathing and mind clearing exercises that every Buddhist uses.

The Tibetan Buddhist and even the simple Nichiren Buddhist monk practice zazen. Before you begin you need to understand that there are some steps that must be performed before the meditating can start.

The first step in Buddhist meditation is to find your position. This can be one of several positions. The Burmese position is where the legs are folded and the feet both touch the floor.

The best way to be in the Lotus or Half Lotus position is to have your backside elevated on a special pillow, which will allow you to sit freely but with your legs positioned correctly. You can find this pillow online or in many specialty shops.

The Lotus or Half Lotus position involves sitting on the floor with your legs folded up on one another. You will resemble a pretzel in this position and it is definitely a hard one to attain when you are just starting out.

If you have joint pains, then this may not be the best position for you to sit in. In that case you need to sit comfortably in a chair with your feet firmly planted and your shoulders squarely aligned with the rest of your body.

The final part of the Buddhist meditation ritual is your breathing and concentration. Begin by taking in deep breaths through your nose and slowly exhaling the breath from your mouth. At the same time, clear your thoughts and be mindful of what your body is telling you.

Try to slow your breathing down and begin focusing on clearing your mind. It is perfectly fine if you have intrusive thoughts. Now is the time to acknowledge them and then let them go. It is a process of finding peace within yourself and letting go of your stressors.

Zen meditation is something that everyone can attain if the time is taken to learn how to perform meditation properly. No, you may never have the concentration of a Buddhist monk but give yourself some time.

It is a learning experience and you will acquire new knowledge as you undertake some of the Buddhist studies. You do not have to embrace the religion totally, yet you can find peace and tranquility through Buddhist teachings.