do not try to stop your thinking

zen is not something to get excited about

 
When you are practicing zazen, do not try to stop your thinking.  Let it stop by itself.  It something comes into your mind, let it come in, and let it go out.  It will not stay long.  When you try to stop your thinking, it means you are bothered by it.  Do not be bothered by anything.  It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, gradually they will become calmer and calmer.  In five or at most ten minutes, your mind will be completely serene and calm.  At that time your breathing will become quite slow, while your pulse will become a little faster.

It will take quite a long time before you find your calm, serene mind in your practice.  Many sensations come, many thoughts or images arise, but they are just waves of your own mind.  Nothing comes from outside your mind.  Usually we think of our mind as receiving impressions and experiences from outside, but that is not a true understanding of our mind.  The true understanding is that the mind includes everything; when you think something comes from outside it means only that something appears in your mind.  Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble.  You yourself make the waves in your mind.  If you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm.  This mind is called big mind.

 

Shunryu Suzuki

zen mind, beginner’s mind

 

accept everything that is

fabien barrau

 

Enlightenment

comes only when you accept

everything that is — without resistance,

without quarrel, in complete stillness. This is

the only, the simplest, the necessary

ground of being for complete

realization.

 

The opportunity

to dwell in quiet acceptance

exists in every moment — sitting, bathing,

cleaning, cooking, working, wherever.

When that moment passes,

it is present in the next.

Just embrace

it.

 

Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 2

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this is the true path

in an instant’s space, enlightenment

 

How should those who

enter the path apply their minds?

All things are originally uncreated and

presently undying. Just let your

mind be free; you don’t have

to restrain it.

 

See directly and hear directly;

come directly and go directly.

When you must go, then go;

when you must stay, then stay.

 

This is the true path.

A scripture says, “Conditional

existence is the site of enlightenment,

insofar as you know it as

it really is.”

 

Niu-t’ou Hui-chung

original teachings of ch’an buddhism