Zen is a Japanese term that summarizes a philosophy that has its origins in the blending of Chinese Buddhist and Taoist teachings. It is known for Zen Buddhism, but some scholars prefer Zen to be seen as something apart from Buddhism, due to the differences in the teachings they contain.
But what matters to us is that Zen arrived in the West with a wisdom that is very applicable today. Especially considering the fast and anxious routine that many people live.
In a simplified way, we can say that Zen teaches that we must empty our mind in order to live in the present. Away from the suffering of the past and away from the anxiety of the future, you must live in the now. Many teachings such as this are given in the form of parables. How about knowing some and learning lessons to apply in your daily life?
A cup of tea
Once, a philosophy professor went to meet a Zen master to learn his teachings. Upon arriving at the meeting, the master offered tea and began to fill the visitor's cup. He filled it to the brim and I keep filling it. The teacher interfered and told the master to stop. Then the master said, “Your cup is like your mind, which is full of opinions and ideas. How can I teach you Zen without you emptying your cup first?”
Are you there?
A Zen master had a strange habit. Several times a day he would stop and ask himself aloud: are you there? And then he replied: yes I am here. And he went back to his chores. One day a visitor intrigued by the master's behavior (he thought he was crazy) plucked up the courage to ask him why he did it. The master then replied, “Whenever I find myself daydreaming, I call myself to focus my attention on the present. When I answer that I am here, it is because I have just brought my consciousness back to the now. Have you ever noticed how many times you are in one place, but your mind is not there?”
These two parables teach us two of the most important thoughts of Zen: the importance of emptying your mind and being open to the new without prejudice and living in the here and now. Life happens in the present, always. The past doesn't exist, it's just memory, and the future hasn't happened yet. You can only live in the present, but if your mind is full of opinions, ideas, prejudices, daydreams and worries, life will pass you by, and when you reach the end of it, you will realize that you haven't really lived. So the most important thing you can do right now is focus on the present. Live in the now and feel alive again!
- Written by Ricardo Sturk from Team Eu Sem Fronteiras.
