Quotes About Zazen

Hogin further writes that by doing so "such a man practices zazen in the wrong way." Here lies the mistake of the believers of "no-thought and no-thinking." These people forget that the true meaning of the phrase comes alive when they become one with susoku and koan.

also mention in the same book that Master Imakita Kosen likewise writes in the fourth chapter of Zenkai Ichiran that the consistent way of a superior man lies nowhere but in saying, "Yes!"7 Master Takuan calls this mind that answers, "Yes!" Immovable Wisdom. I think that this spontaneous response to anything in the affirmative selflessly and with mu-shin (no mind) is "praising the practice of zazen and faithfully following it.

To sit in order to cure neurosis or to develop hara42 so as not to be frightened by things is really up to each person and probably is not bad. Whether such people will be guided from there to training according to the true way of Zen discipline depends on the ability of the instructor. But, if we recall the original aim of zazen, it is correct to say that zazen has no purpose other than zazen.

The concentration power of zazen, enabling you to walk through a place as busy as downtown Tokyo as if you were walking alone through an uninhabited desert, springs from a deep principle cultivated only in the practice of samadhi with one's eyes open. It is this point that only a person of attainment would know. You must never make light of opening or shutting your eyes.

Zen Master Dogen said that to transmit Dharma means to transmit zazen.

Zazen should never become a means of making yourself feel good nor should it be a tranquilizer to settle excitement and wild thoughts. What is of primary importance is what the ancients called "no gaining and no merit." Indeed, zazen consists in awakening us to our own essence so as to secure and express our true selves in our everyday conduct.

of their brain waves quickly changed to an astonishing degree 50 seconds after the start of zazen. Even after the finish, the effect remained. This could not be seen at all when amateurs tried to imitate it.2 Thus, zazen has recently begun to be recognized as something contributing to the mental health of some patients suffering from neuroses.

It has long been said that breathing becomes well regulated, blood circulation becomes normalized, the abdomen becomes filled with energy in a way that creates self-composure, and insomnia can be cured as the result of zazen. The unprecedented research of Professor Kasamatsu has succeeded in demonstrating theses empirical effects scientifically.

In the distinguished book Zazen no Shokei by the lay Zen Master Kawajiri Hogin, he writes, "Because zazen is training to realize the One Mind of yourself, it is a mistake to set up an aim outside of yourself … Not setting up an aim is the true aim.

When I speak about zazen, what comes to mind first is the following passage from the Dan-gyo, a record of the life and sayings of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Eno Daikan (Hui-neng Ta-chien):30 Za (sitting) means to not give rise to thoughts (no dualism) under any circumstance. Zen (meditation) means to see your original nature and not become confused.