Day 13

Zazen is all about clearing your mind, but not so that you're not thinking of anything. So what you're doing is thinking about not thinking. This may sound poetic, but as you might've guess, it seems almost impossible. Zazen in reality has multiple practices, each serving as stepping stones until you can think about not thinking. The first practice, called breath counting is just what the name suggests. On every inhale or exhale, or both, you count, from 1 to 10. When you get to 10, you just start over from 1, dropping any thoughts that may have entered your mind. This is a very effective practice for beginners since it gives their mind something to focus on instead of letting it wander. This is the practice I use, as my ability to concentrate isn't yet strong enough to move on the the second practice.

The second practice is called koan practice. In this practice, you use a koan, defined by the dictionary as "a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment". The purpose of this practice is to concentrate on your koan. Although it may sound simple, it's a lot harder because a koan is intangible, while breathing can be tangible. An example of a koan is, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" In reality this practice is similar to that of the first practice, except it requires greater concentration.

The third practice is called shinkantaza. It is this practice where one doesn't focus on anything. You use the strength of your concentration to remain aware of events that occur in the present. However, you dont think about any of it, you are just aware of it. You just sit like a mountain, immovable with your awareness. That is the true art of zazen, and my goal. However, I know this kind of meditation can take years to master. Because of that, as long as my awareness gets better, I'll feel that I was able to accomplish something by meditating