Fukanzazengi

The Way is already complete. Nothing is missing. So why practice? Because the moment you pause, the moment you prefer this over that, you are far from it. even a small like or dislike creates distance. You may understand a lot, you may feel enlightened, you may glimpse something vast. But unless you embody it in all of your life you are still standing at the edge of delusion.

The Buddha sat in meditation for six years, Bodhidharma sat facing a wall for nine. If they needed to meditate, what makes you think you don’t? Do not try to think your way to Truth, do not collect teachings and ideas. Just turn your view around. Look directly at yourself. If you want Truth, then practice Truth. Now.

Find a quiet place. Do not over eat. Put the affairs of your day down. Sit upright. Balanced. Still. Hands in the Cosmic Mudra. Eyes open. Breathing naturally. Let everything be natural. Do not think good, nor bad. Do not judge. Just Sit. Think not-thinking. How? Non-thinking sitting. This is not zoning out. This is not forcing silence. It is sitting so completely vibrant that nothing extra is needed.

Zazen is not a technique. It is not self-improvement. It is not training to become a Buddha. It is the direct expression of what you already are. When you do this for some time, body and mind drop away naturally. Your original face appears in an instant. Like a dragon in water, like a tiger in the mountain, you are in your element. Realisation is this sitting. It does not depend on cleverness, mystical powers  or dramatic experiences.

It does not matter if you are smart or dull, just give yourself completely to sitting everyday, that is the Way. It is very ordinary. Why search far away in the distance for what is right where you are now? You have this human life. It will pass quickly. Do not waste it. Stop chasing shadows. Just Sit. Give yourself to Zazen completely. Then the treasure that you are seeking will open naturally by itself.