Why do you practice Zen?

[sittingzen]

Hello Emmy,

I practice Zen because it is a vehicle, without much of the "fluff", that provides a direct avenue to our true nature.

A question I ask myself often, and yet I don't always have an answer. I am curious as to how others would answer this question. Why do you practice Zen?


Treena

[Joyo]

I have so enjoyed reading all of your responses. I could probably write a 10-pg essay on this topic, but it boils down to this--I practice Zen for myself, I practice Zen for all beings, because we are all connected. It has only been through Zen that I have found my true home, my true self (or no-self)

Gassho,
Treena

[lordbd]

I practice Zen because I haven't found or thought of anything else that makes sense.

[Kyonin]

I have practiced it since I was a kid, even if I didn't know there was a name for it.

I practice because it feels natural

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Jinyo]

I have practiced it since I was a kid, even if I didn't know there was a name for it.

I practice because it feels natural

Gassho,

Kyonin

I also feel this Kyonin - and even though I may sometimes wander away from my practice, think I've lost it, get frustrated because it doesn't always deliver in an obvious way, it helps me to be both at peace within myself and a better person out in the world. No matter what - this practice always feel like a true home.

Thank you all for your practice

Gassho

Willow

[Heisoku]

To yield to life and be happy. Gassho.

[Shokai]

Initially, I sat to re-learn what I had forgotten since I was 3 yrs old. Then after some time I realized a gathering faith that it made sense to live this way. A practice that benefits all beings, a practice that can change people's way of percieving reality.

Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk4

[Juki]

If we are to regain our original mind, the mind that is free of defilement, delusion, greed, hatred and anger, then we must understand the source of those feelings, which are largely cultural and aquired. Thus, they are learned behavior. And learned behavior can always be unlearned. I sit to unlearn.

Gassho,
William

[Shonin]

For me, it started as initially as a curiosity. A lot of folks would say that something I said sounded very " Zen". So , out of curiosity, I began to look across the internet and found Treeleaf. After that, I was almost immediately hooked. Something about Zen practice just strikes an inner chord. Something about it just resonates with me in an inexplicable way. So I sit, sometimes a lot , sometimes a little. Read a book here and there. I haven't found any reason to stop practicing so I haven't stopped. I haven't actually gone a day without some phrase or precept or bit of philosophy entering my mind at some point. I'm just along for the ride, while still wondering " What is all this REALLY about?"

Dave _/\_

[kidbuda]

I have practiced it since I was a kid, even if I didn't know there was a name for it.

I practice because it feels natural

Gassho,

Kyonin

Same as Kyonin, it has been like this for me since I was a little kid and the practice has also helped me to stop being a "pain in the ass" for other beings around me and learn how to just be...and be helpful, useful, joyful and a loong etc

Gassho

kb

[Silva]

To flourish through fading away

Sylvie

[Shokai]

" What is all this REALLY (all) about?"

Dave _/\_

Yes !

gassho,

[Jishin]

I think I started so I could be cool. Different. It made more sense to me than Christianity, particularly since I came from a Jewish background. It gave me some comfort over the fear of dying.

I just sit now days. It feels natural, the way things are supposed to be.

Gassho, John

[Jakugan]

I guess I practice so I feel more connected. I find that it helps me ride the waves of my emotions rather than drown in them. I practice because it helps me to look beyond my own tunnel vision and nourishes something deep within me that no other way could ever fill.

gassho,

simon

[Kantai]

Why do you practice Zen?

Every time I sit
I do it to find out why.
"Why" started sitting

Gassho
Ed