Zen is not a religion. It is a philosophy. It is a way of thinking, of understanding, an outlook on life. It is the belief that we all need to feel comfortable in our own skins, and to believe in ourselves. Thus, it is extremely difficult to define, because it is a completely personal journey. We attempt to define zen with individual concepts that we can incorporate into our lives. With focus and self awareness, we attempt to become easier to like, easier to deal with, because we like and eventually understand ourselves.
Some actively meditate.
Some practice physical martial arts.
Some passively try to live their lives as simply as they can.
Some strive to be the best they can be, while not hurting others along the way.
Many paths can lead to the spirit of Zen.

Here are a few Zen sayings to ponder:

The ways to the One are as many as the lives of men.

Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.

Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.

The ten thousand questions are one question. If you cut through the one question, then the ten thousand questions disappear.

Zen is like soap. First you wash with it, and then you wash off the soap.
-Yamaoka Tesshu

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