In this section, you’ll find articles written by teachers and practitioners from the Zen Kannon Center in Barcelona. Reflections on Zen practice, commentaries on Buddhist texts, personal experiences, and contemporary perspectives on spiritual life. A fresh and current look at the Dharma from the heart of the city.
Meditation for Peace: A Collective Action of Presence and Hope On May 25th, 2025, the Zen Kannon community gathered as part of the Festa Major of the neighborhood Dreta de l’Eixample in Barcelona to hold a Meditation for Peace—an open event that transformed Girona Street into a space of silence, awareness, and shared compassion. Peace…
Fuse is a Japanese word that in Zen Buddhism refers to the practice of dō, generosity, or selfless giving. It comes from the Sanskrit word dāna, which is one of the six perfections (pāramitās) of the bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. Giving without expecting anything in return Fuse is not just about giving material or immaterial…
A Scientific Study on the Zen Personality Can we talk about being a zen person? Or having a zen personality? It’s worth noting that in France, the expression “Être zen” (To be zen) has become fashionable. A whole range of self-help books can be found that offer lessons on how to “be zen” in just…
Concentration and observation are like the right leg and the left leg with which the mind walks during zazen. A path that overcomes the obstacles of drowsiness and agitation (Kontin and Sanran), avoiding stagnation and confusion. In this article, we will explore this crucial concept in the Zen teachings of Taisen Deshimaru and provide guidelines…
Meditation, Dopamine, and Serotonin Zen meditation is an ancient practice that, in addition to being a spiritual path for introspection and self-knowledge, has a direct impact on brain function. Various studies have shown that this form of meditation can influence the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are closely linked to feelings…
In the practice of zazen, the seated meditation in Zen Buddhism, there are two main obstacles that can hinder concentration and mental serenity: kontin and sanran. According to the teachings of Taisen Deshimaru, these two mental states divert the practitioner from full awareness and the depth of zazen. What is Kontin? Kontin can be translated…
Effects of Meditation on Pain Tolerance Meditation and pain have a very special relationship for Zen practitioners. On the one hand, we cannot ignore that sometimes we feel discomfort, and even pain, from sitting for long periods in the zazen posture during retreats. On the other hand, however, we have the feeling that meditation changes…
What is Meditation? Today there is a vast array of meditation offerings—there are guided meditation classes, meditation retreats, guided meditation apps for mobile devices, … but not everything among these offerings can truly be considered meditation. But finally, understanding what meditation is can make a big difference. If we want a simple and straightforward definition,…
Preparing for the meditation Retreat We often leave the firm decision to participate in a meditation retreat until the last moment. Now, for example, with only a few months left until the Easter retreat in Catalonia, not far from Barcelona, it’s a good time to start preparing mentally and physically if we want to attend.…
Zen for nothing. The film “Zen for Nothing” is a documentary directed by Werner Penzel. The film follows the journey of a Swiss woman as she spends several months in a Zen monastery called Antaiji. The documentary provides an immersion into Zen monastic life, capturing the monks’ daily rhythm marked by meditation, physical labor, and…
