I Quit

[Guest]

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

[Jundo]

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

[Yugen]

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

[Mp]

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

[Myosha]

Thank you.


Gassho,
Edward

[Joe]

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

[Tb]

Hi.

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

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Daisho]

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

[Taikyo]

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

Gassho

David

[Kokuu]

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

Deep bow
Andy

[Jinyo]

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

Gassho

Willow

[Heisoku]

I am also quitting.
Gassho.

[Rich]

Thanks for sharing your quitting.
yahoo!!

[Olli]

Really insiping topic and post Emmy, huge thanks!

[Daitetsu]

Lovely!

Gassho,

Timo