71. Zen Is Simple

“Just seek inwardly twenty-four hours a day, in the midst of all activities keeping the huatou,
What is it that speaks and keeps silent, that sees and hears.” Li Quing-an
Master Ziyang reminds us that “nothing takes precedence over a constant vigil and detachment
from an emotional consciousness.”

In the Collection on Complete Reality Wang Chongyang instructs: “If the mind is always calm
and still, free from pursuing thoughts and mental images, this then is what the ancients called a
settled mind.”

These ancestors were all pointing at the same basic teaching. It is imperative in practice that we
reflect on our day to day personal demeanor and comportment. The following “checklist” can
hopefully be of some assistance.

1.) Ideas and mental constructs continually filter in and out of our thinking process. Take close
note of where they are trying to lead you.
2.) Disallow yourself from being led around by circumstances and situations. Remain unmoved
while also staying focused moment by moment throughout the day.
3.) A tranquil mind is interrupted when we begin to follow wandering thoughts. Simply remain
calm and they will disappear.
4.) Avoid becoming bound by the fetters of culture in your practice. It is important to remember
that the Buddha himself spoke not one word of Korean, Chinese, or Japanese. Better to throw
away all cultural identities and just stick to the fundamental huatou: What am I?
5.) Addressing the immediate moment is simplified by identifying our correct function and
relationship to the event. This can be done while simultaneously maintaining serenity and poise.
6.) As much as possible, keep it simple. To this end I am reminded of the following story:

A Zen Master and a mystical shaman who were recently acquainted were walking along
together talking when they came to a river crossing. A small boat used to ferry people across lay
nearby in disrepair. The shaman began to walk across the turbulent and reportedly deep river
calling out to the Zen Master to join him. “Had I known you were this sort of fellow,” the Zen
Master said, “I would have broken your legs before we set out,” whereupon he began unpacking
some basic tools he was carrying to repair the boat.

The moral of the story? Stop entertaining vain ideas of getting some special energy from your
meditation practice. The true way is both unfettered and simple, and far more valuable than
attempting to impress someone with magic.