will focus on continuous and lifelong practice in the direction of becoming a fully awakened and aware humane being. Zen places special emphasis on practicing moment to moment awareness in daily life throughout everyday of the week.
2 years ago I went on a meditation retreat where I meditated for 10 hours a day for 10 days. I was taught to be present to the nature of reality as it is, without trying to control whatever arises from moment to moment. Aches and pains, physical sensations, thoughts all arise and then pass away. Such is the impermanence of being.
While I believe this type of intense training was necessary for my own personal growth, I don't believe that we all have to undergo such intense training to integrate more and more awareness into our daily lives.
This is where we can learn from Zen; Zen emphasises the training of attention and bare awareness, while infusing this into everyday life.
As soon as you notice yourself getting irritated or agitated, empty your mind by allowing whatever is consuming your thoughts to arise and then pass away, like a cloud drifting across the vast expanse of sky.
Take a leaf from the book of the Zen aspirant by noticing the feeling and being present to that and the nature of reality as it is in that moment. And continue to practice this throughout your day, throughout your week. What happens?
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