In the practice of Zen meditation, joriki is a state of concentration -- finding your center in the present moment. Zen meditation requires the ability to sit in quiet, focusing on your breath as you notice each thought passing and the environment around you. According to Valerie Pettys of the Maria Kannon Zen Center, as you meditate and cultivate your attention -- joriki -- you may become one with your environment and come to a higher sense of true self-awareness.
Position
As you prepare for your joriki Zen meditation, think about your body position. Your position affects your mind and breath during practice. Sit on the floor with a pillow under your buttocks and your legs crossed in front of you. Allow your knees and feet to rest comfortably on the floor. Shift your body slightly forward and imagine your head stretching up toward the sky. Once in this position, allow your body and muscles to relax and go soft. Place your hands palm-up, resting loosely in front of your lower abdomen, one hand holding the other hand so that your knuckles overlap.
Breathing
Focus your attention on the area about 2 inches below your navel. This area is your hara -- the spiritual and physical center of your body. Slowly rock your body back and forth until you settle on your center of gravity. Close your mouth and, with your tongue pressed up against your soft palate, begin breathing through your nose. Focus on your breath as you imagine the air moving down into your hara, filling your abdomen, then moving up and out of your body. Continue with this cycle of breathing and focus.
Counting
Your meditation work begins as you count your breath. Beginning with 1, start counting each inhalation and exhalation. Continue until you get to 10 breaths, then start the cycle over again with 1. As you count you may notice your mind beginning to wander. Simply acknowledge each thought as it comes and deliberately let it go as you start your breath-counting cycle again at 1. Counting your breaths allows you to know when your mind starts to drift. As you return to counting your breaths you empower yourself to focus and keep your mind where you want it to be. This power of concentration is joriki.
Continued Practice
Continue your practice for as long as you can or feel comfortable. Each time you practice Zen meditation you may find it easier to find joriki. You may come to a point where you no longer need to count your breath and focusing on your breathing alone is enough. Be with your breath as your mind and body naturally fall away. Give yourself the time necessary to find this state -- don't rush it or move too fast from counting your breath to not counting at all. You may not develop good, strong joriki if you move ahead too quickly in your practice.
