Evolution of Love 2

Zen Meditation

The purpose of practicing Zen meditation is to awaken to the Mind. Such practice does not involve just sitting quietly and trying to calm and pacify the mind. Nor does it entail contemplating the breath.

Instead it involves direct inquiry into a hwadu (Koan). An example of a hwadu would be a question such as "What is this?" or What is this mind?"

What you are searching for can be called by many different names: mind, spirit, soul, true nature, and so forth. But such designations are merely labels. You should put aside all of these names and reflect on the fact that the true master of the body is more than just the label "mind."

The master of the body is not the Buddha, for it is not yet awakened. Nor is it anything material, because it cannot be physically given away or received. Nor is it simply empty space, for empty space cannot pose questions, or have knowledge of good and evil.

Hence there is a master who rules this body who is neither the label "mind," the Buddha, a material thing nor empty space. Having negated these four possibilities, a question will arise as to what this master really is.

If you continue inquiring in this way, the questioning will become more intense. Finally, when the mass of questioning enlarges to a critical point, it will suddenly burst. The entire universe will be shattered and only your original nature will appear before you. In this way you will awaken.