Tag: zen

Rest at ease

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Sitting in meditation is a way of clarifying the ground of experience and resting at ease in your Actual Nature.

It is called “ Revealing the Original Face” and “Bringing to light the landscape of the basic ground.”

Put aside all concerns. Let go of all the things that hook you.

Simply, do nothing at all.

Don’t create things with the six senses.

Clear water has no back or front, space has no inside or outside.

Objects of mind and the mind itself have no place to exist.

Zazen Yojinki, one of the two founders of Sōtō Zen in Japan, late-13th/early-14th century AD, Notes on what to be aware of in Zazen

Always other moments

Karl Duffy1 Comment

Today is All Souls Day and November was traditionally a time of remembering those who have gone before us.

Once a monk made a request of Joshu.
“I have just entered the monastery,” he said. “Please give me instructions, Master.”
Joshu said, “Have you had your breakfast?”
“Yes, I have,” replied the monk.
“Then,” said Joshu, “wash your bowl.”
The monk had an insight.

I love this koan. I am the student in the midst of my life, waiting for life to happen. I am the teacher pointing to this latte on my desk. I am the bowl that needs washing and the breakfast already eaten. How do we enter our life fully? It is right here. How do we want to live? Can we allow all the joys and sorrows to enliven us? Or do we just go along with all our patterns and habits? People who are dying always remind me: ‘I can’t believe I wasn’t here for most of my life.‘ That’s one of the most common things I hear, and the biggest regrets. Many people have not inhabited their life because they’re just waiting for other moments. Are we waiting for life to happen in the midst of life? How can we give ourselves fully to our lives, moment to moment? Don’t wait. Life is always right here.

Koshin Paley Ellison, Co-Founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care

Don’t separate yourself

Karl Duffy1 Comment

Simply be with what’s here.

Shinzan Roshi, my teacher constantly uses the Japanese term “nari kiru” to express what we do here. “Nari” means literally “become” and “kiru” means “totally” or “completely”. So once you find tension or stress, don’t separate yourself from it; quite the opposite, be with it, become it. In that moment there is no gap between you and the sensation.

Julian Daizan Skinner and Sarah Bladen, Practical Zen for Health, Wealth and Mindfulness