Organ Mountain Zen



Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Awake

Good Morning Everyone,
 
When we sit down to practice zazen, we should sit down with a certain aim.  This aim is to be open and present without attempting to have this thought or that; this state of consciousness or that; or this feeling or that.  Zazen is the pure act of just sitting to be just sitting. 
 
We practice zazen in order to be awake.  Most of the time we are not awake, rather, we are thinking about something other than what we are doing.  as I type just now, I am thinking I need to get off the computer to get to the grocery store before my Breakfast Club meeting at 9:00.  This is not being awake. 
 
We often confuse having our eyes open for being awake. Drivers are "awake" but often appear to have tombstones in their eyes, mesmerized by the monotony of traffic.  Parents are often "awake" as they attend to their children with their minds a couple of dozen miles away.
 
This is no way to live.
 
Today practice for one hour to just be awake.  Tat is just attending to what you are in fact doing and nothing else. Watch your mind as it tries to slip away, gently bring it back.
 
I'd like to hear about your experience.
 
Be well.
 
 
 
 
  


 
Rev. Dr. So Daiho Hilbert-roshi 


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