Zen meditation, also known as Zazen, is a form of meditation that originated in Zen Buddhism. It's a practice focused on cultivating mindfulness, concentration, and insight. Zen Buddhism emphasizes direct, experiential understanding of one's true nature and the nature of reality. Zen meditation is a central part of this path.

Here's how Zen meditation typically works:

• Posture: Practitioners sit in a specific posture. This usually involves sitting cross-legged on a cushion (zafu) on the floor, with a straight back. Hands are often placed in a specific mudra, such as forming a cosmic circle with the thumb and fingers, and the eyes are typically half-open, looking downward.
• Breath: Attention is primarily placed on the breath. The goal is to observe the breath without actively controlling it. This helps to develop concentration and mindfulness.
• Thoughts: Thoughts are allowed to arise naturally. However, when thoughts come up, the practitioner doesn't engage with them or follow them. Instead, they return their attention to the breath.
• Koans (optional): In some Zen traditions, practitioners may also work with koans, which are paradoxical or unanswerable questions or statements given by a Zen teacher. Meditating on a koan can help break down conventional thinking and trigger insights.
• Silence: Zen meditation is often practiced in silence, and it's common to meditate in a group under the guidance of a teacher. In a traditional Zen monastery, periods of sitting meditation alternate with walking meditation (kinhin) and other forms of practice.

The aim of Zen meditation is to develop a clear, focused, and tranquil mind, leading to a deeper understanding of one's own nature and the nature of existence. It is a path toward enlightenment and a direct realization of the interconnectedness of all things.