The Way of Zen is in silencing the body and mind by means of a specific posture and breath absorption while we are on the zafu (a small, round sitting cushion), and what the Buddhists call an awareness of being in our daily lives. Zen is a discipline which acts therapeutically and builds up joriki(literally a settling power) which leads eventually to a specific religious experience. History teaches us that as a result of having that experience, Zen monks were urged on to external expressions of compassion.
— Elaine MacInnes, Light Sitting in Light