Zazen is Nothing

A monk asked the ancient Chinese master, “What is zazen?” The master answered, “Zazen is nothing.” The monk was greatly enlightened, but the master’s answer went right over my head. It was years before I began to understand. Zazen is not a thing. It’s not an object. It’s no thing. Why did it take me so long to see this?

Looking back, I can see it now. I was confused by the zazen instructions which are everywhere in the Zen world, in the beginners’ instruction in person at most Zen centers, online, and in almost every Zen book. Seeking a group to sit with, I went through the instruction in several Zen centers. Usually, it was a senior student who talked to the group of newbies for a half an hour or more, rattling through what might have been called “everything you ever wanted to know about Zen meditation but were afraid to ask.” No one could possibly remember all the instructions, but I left with the clear impression that if I followed these instructions, I’d get zazen. I think I understood it as an analogue to a recipe for Angel Food Cake. If you follow the recipe, you get cake.

It took me years to realize that zazen is not a thing like a cake. It’s not a thing at all. The instructions are not a recipe. They are fingers pointing at the moon. Don’t confuse the finger with the moon.

Even that is a metaphor, another finger pointing. We’re not talking about an object in the sky. Zazen is not an object. We can observe people sitting on their cushions, but we can’t observe their zazen. So what do we make of the zazen instructions? Work with them as fingers pointing. “Here’s something to try.” Try it. Does it work for you? Your first reaction may be no, but maybe you’re reacting too quickly. Look again. Stick with a pointing a little longer. Is it working for you? Only you can decide. That’s what the Buddha always said. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. We’re all different. The suggestion that takes me to a deeper place may not work for you.