One Arrow, One Life. Kenneth Kushner

both inhalation and exhalation; hence the origin of the term "Buddha belly." After continual practice, the contour of the Zen student changes. His lower abdomen remains slightly protruded and the area above it remains concave even when he is not sitting zazen. In zazen, the student constantly monitors his breathing. When he notices that the quality of his breathing has deteriorated, he adjusts it so that it is correct.

      Hara is a word that has no equivalent in English. Not only does it literally refer to the geographical area of the body roughly described as the lower abdomen but it also is a word replete with psychological and spiritual connotations. To say that someone has "hara" conveys the sense that he is balanced, secure both physically and psychologically.¹ From a physical standpoint, the person with hara has a lower center of gravity than does the person with the traditional Western postural ideal of "stomach in and chest out." It is literally more difficult to tip over a person with hara, a principle that is very important in all of the martial arts and in Japanese Sumo wrestling. The person with typical Western posture is top heavy due to muscular tension in the upper body, and thus is less balanced.

      To say that someone has hara also conveys the sense that he is in balance emotionally. He does not fly off the handle, he can take in his stride whatever problems come his way. In Japanese, to say that one's hara rose or that one "lost his hara" means that he has lost his temper.

      To say that one has hara also implies a sense of courage, the ability to face adversity with poise and dignity. In this regard, Von Durckheim related the following account of an event that took place during World War II:

      When the leader of the Japanese Women's Associations, on her return from a visit to Germany, spoke in a lecture of the impressive air-raid precautions she'd seen there, she added "we have nothing of all that but we have something else, we have Hara". The interpreter was greatly embarrassed. How should he translate that? What could he do but simply say "belly"? Silence, laughter. Only a few Westerners understood what was meant, but the Japanese knew that the lecturer had quite simply meant that power which, even if it gave no protection against annihilation by bombs, yet made possible an inner calm from which springs the greatest possible capacity for endurance.²

      Hara also conveys a sense of generosity. While in English we would say that someone has a big heart, in Japan they would say that he has a big hara. Hara also implies strength. To do something with hara means to do something with all your might, to give it your best. The person with hara is seen as being physically stronger and stronger of character.

      The connections between the physical and psychological aspects of hara are not just metaphorical to the Zen student. With training, he comes to understand that his psychological state fluctuates with the quality of his breathing. He learns that when he is carried away by anger or when he is overcome by fear or anxiety, his breathing becomes fast and shallow. He loses the pressure in his lower abdomen and his center of gravity rises towards his shoulders. He becomes physically less stable. He also learns to control his emotional reactions by controlling his breathing. Through proper breathing in the middle of adversity, he can maintain his psychological equillibrium.