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The process of zazen has been traditionally divided into three aspects: regulation of posture, regulation of breathing, and regulation of mental activity (concentration). Actually this division is only a convenience for the sake of explanation. In practice zazen is the unification of breathing, posture and concentration. Each aspect affects and is affected by the other two. In the Ways, one finds these principles of breathing, posture, and concentration applied to specific activities.

I will now discuss in turn the three component processes of breathing, posture and concentration.

BREATHING

The importance of proper breathing in Zen cannot be overstated, yet the concept that breathing can be a key to spirituality is still a foreign one to most Westerners. While Western people may accept the importance of breathing in athletic endeavors or in relaxation exercises, they do not generally see breath control as a prerequisite for a spiritual experience.

The major differences between breathing in Zen and what most people would consider "normal" breathing is that in Zen it is much slower and is controlled by the muscles of the lower abdomen, not those of the chest. The average person breathes at a rate of approximately 18 respirations per minute. Zen masters have been found to breathe at a rate of 4 respirations per minute or less during zazen.