Eric Belky said he has lived with less stress for the past four years through the power of Zen.
Belky, assistant professor of psychological science, learned the meditation technique several years ago after studying at the Zen Center in Syracuse, N.Y.
"I just noticed that meditation had a great effect on me," Belky said. "It helped me become more relaxed and stress free."
Belky said he developed an interest in the practice after studying about Zen on the Internet and reading a book about meditation.
"Zen is really a philosophy and a way of life," Belky said. "When you practice it, you learn to become more spontaneous, creative and have a better attitude about things.
"(It is) kind of like a, 'Don't worry, be happy.' way of looking at life."
According to a Web site documenting the benefits of Zen, Zen is described as a sect of Buddhism which originated in India and filtered into China and Japan.
Zen stresses the practice of meditation (often known as Zazen) in order to become more self-aware of one's surroundings.
Belky said the meditation technique has short-term and long-term benefits.
"Right away you see effects in stress relief," Belky said. "(In the) long term, your mood becomes more
optimistic and more depression proof.
"You don't get the 'blues' as often."
When Belky moved to Muncie last year, he said he was unable to find anyone in the community who meditated.
But after talking with several faculty members who wanted to learn more about Zen, Belky decided to help others by teaching meditation sessions himself.
"In a way I wanted to repay the favor to the guy who taught me how to practice Zen," Belky said. "He had such a great influence on me.
"And I was also looking around for people to meditate with."
Belky was granted space to conduct his sessions at the university's Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, 310 N. McKinley Ave., and began teaching the Zen practice in September of last year.
Since he has been conducting the sessions, Belky said he thinks there has been a steady interest in the practice from the campus community.
"On average I have about a half dozen people who come in each week," Belky said. "Often they are first-time meditators."
Belky holds weekly sessions on Thursday evenings. He begins each seminar at 5:45 p.m. For the first 15 minutes, he teaches those in attendance what they need to know in order to meditate.
At 6 p.m. the group begins the Meditation Proper portion of the session, where everyone sits on cushions as Belky provides them with exercises that teach them how to clear their minds.
"For 25 minutes we focus on counting our breaths and exhalation techniques," Belky said.
At the end of each session, Belky said, he invites the class to stick around and ask questions.
"A lot of people want to know what Zen is good for, why they should do it and where they can go to practice it," Balky said. "I just try to answer any questions they might have."
Although Zen is formerly a Buddhist practice, Belky, who is a Buddhist himself, said he keeps the sessions non-denominational.
"I have a lot of students who are a little afraid to come practice," Belky said. "But I want everyone to know I'm not here to push any religious beliefs on anyone."
Since he has been living in Muncie Belky has joined a group of men and women who practice Zen meditation on Sunday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 4800 W. Bradford Drive.
Junior Meadow Smith attended a session with Belky at the church to fulfill an out-of-class requirement for her religious studies class.
"It was very enlightening," Smith said of the experience. "Professor Belky was very supportive and taught us ways to clear our minds.
"Zen meditation is something everyone - especially college students under a lot of stress - should definitely give a try."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
