I Quit

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  • Joyo
    • Dec 2024

    I Quit

    My meditation practice has been nothing more than sitting with a racing mind. I have little time to read Zen book or study Buddhism. I have a library of Buddhist books on my bookshelf that are half read. I sat down one evening, early this week, and felt frustrated. Zen is supposedly a simple way to live. But my mind wants nothing to do with it, it wants to race, think, analyze, study, learn all the time and does not want to let go of attachments. I finally told myself I am quitting. I no longer sit and do "zazen" I no longer "practice Buddhism" I am done, I quit. And so I sat, with nothing, no labels, no pressure, no striving to achieve perfection or anything at all, for that matter. And, there it was, the clear blue sky!!!! And now as I sit, doing nothing, no zazen, no shikantaza, nothing at all, the clear blue sky keeps returning to me.

    And then I found this quote, and now I think, after practicing and studying Zen for a year, I finally understand what this is all about...

    “Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine”
    Shunryu Suzuki

    Gassho,
    Treena
    Last edited by Guest; 07-08-2013, 02:41 AM. Reason: just realized I am supposed to use my first name, sorry for the confusion
  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40557

    #2
    Ah, and now Zazen really begins! Deep bows!

    Yes, that is correct: You little selfish self-mind "wants nothing to do with it, it wants to race, think, analyze, study, learn all the time and does not want to let go of attachments." It does not want to put all that down, even for a moment.

    This is more precious than all those unread Buddhist books on the shelf! There is "quitting", but then there is Big "Q" Quitting, which is really getting down the business!

    Nine bows! Jundo
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

    Comment

    • Yugen

      #3
      Emmy,
      Bravo - Thank you for this teaching - this realization never loses its vitality - it is of great help to my own practice.

      Deep bows
      Yugen

      Comment

      • Mp

        #4
        Wow Emmy ... Let the games begin and then fade away ... And begin again, then fade away ... I really enjoyed your post ... Thank you.

        Gassho
        Shingen

        Comment

        • Myosha
          Member
          • Mar 2013
          • 2974

          #5
          Thank you.


          Gassho,
          Edward
          "Recognize suffering, remove suffering." - Shakyamuni Buddha when asked, "Uhm . . .what?"

          Comment

          • Joe
            Member
            • Jun 2013
            • 52

            #6
            Thank you Emmy,

            It's amazing how used we get to holding on to our gaining ideas that we no longer notice our hands are full.

            Gassho,
            Joe

            Comment

            • Tb
              Member
              • Jan 2008
              • 3186

              #7
              Hi.

              Thank you Emmy, so good of you to share this.
              And yes, its all good practice.

              Mtfbwy
              Fugen
              Life is our temple and its all good practice
              Blog: http://fugenblog.blogspot.com/

              Comment

              • Daisho
                Member
                • May 2012
                • 197

                #8
                Thanks Emmy, that's what I like-need-want to hear!
                Gassho,

                Daisho


                (Jack K.)

                Comment

                • Taikyo
                  Friend of Treeleaf
                  • Nov 2012
                  • 363

                  #9
                  Thanks Emmy - If that is quitting then I too quit!

                  Gassho

                  David

                  Comment

                  • Kokuu
                    Dharma Transmitted Priest
                    • Nov 2012
                    • 6850

                    #10
                    Wonderful, Treena! Even when the clouds return, the clear blue sky is always there.

                    Deep bow
                    Andy

                    Comment

                    • Jinyo
                      Member
                      • Jan 2012
                      • 1957

                      #11
                      Thanks Emmy - the only place to return to is Quitting - I find I have to do it over and over again

                      Gassho

                      Willow

                      Comment

                      • Heisoku
                        Member
                        • Jun 2010
                        • 1338

                        #12
                        I am also quitting.
                        Gassho.
                        Heisoku 平 息
                        Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. (Basho)

                        Comment

                        • Rich
                          Member
                          • Apr 2009
                          • 2614

                          #13
                          Thanks for sharing your quitting.
                          yahoo!!
                          _/_
                          Rich
                          MUHYO
                          無 (MU, Emptiness) and 氷 (HYO, Ice) ... Emptiness Ice ...

                          https://instagram.com/notmovingmind

                          Comment

                          • Olli

                            #14
                            Really insiping topic and post Emmy, huge thanks!

                            Comment

                            • Daitetsu
                              Member
                              • Oct 2012
                              • 1154

                              #15
                              Lovely!

                              Gassho,

                              Timo
                              no thing needs to be added

                              Comment

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