Zen Mindfulness: Let’s live in the Present, let’s live in Peace
Two monks were traveling from one monastery to another. While walking they came to a river. As they were preparing to cross the river, they saw a beautiful, young woman standing at the bank of the river. She was colorfully clad in her elegant, traditional Japanese Kimono. It looked as if she was going to participate in a festival. She asked the monks to help her cross the river. According to monks’ order of faith, they are not allowed to touch a woman. The monks looked at each other for a while. The senior monk lifted the woman on his shoulders and entered the river. The junior monk, who was still a pupil, while much surprised and puzzled on the act of his teacher, followed him into the river. They crossed the river, dropped the woman at the other bank and continued their journey. The junior monk was very much disturbed. He was constantly thinking why his teacher lifted the woman. An hour passed. They kept walking. Another hour passed. The junior was still struggling with his thoughts and questions as to why his teacher did something that monks are prohibited to do. After another hour of walking, the junior monk could no more control his thoughts. He blurted out and asked the teacher: “Teacher, why did you carry the woman?” The teacher turned to the pupil, looked at him and very calmly answered: “I dropped the woman at the river bank, but you are still carrying her”.
This is a very famous Zen parable that reveals Buddhist philosophy practiced in life. In our daily life, we burden ourselves with unnecessary loads of thoughts which disturb our minds. We seldom try to get rid of them. This story teaches that we need to keep our concentration on the present time forgetting what happened in the past and what comes in the future. It does not mean that we should forget the past and stop forecasting or thinking about the future. It means that what is happening at the present moment is the most important activity and we must concentrate upon that.
Currently, there is a lot of talk about ‘MINDFULNESS’ on social media. Mindful meditation has become the name of the game in health, educational and commercial institutions these days. The concept of mindful meditation, its methods and techniques have been borrowed from the Zen Buddhist meditational practices. The practitioners of mindful meditation teach the students how to concentrate on the present time, how to control the stream of consciousness and enter a state of relaxation of body and mind. Once a person learns the skills of mind-body relaxation keeping thoughts on present time activities, progress starts happening in personal relationships, in overall general health conditions and performance in other life activities.
I remember the time when I joined a retreat of Zen meditation. It was a great experience. Every step of the meditation process was very meaningful and inspiring. The main part of meditation is to sit facing a grey or white wall. Japanese houses are made of wood. The benches on which the pupils sit cross-legged with hands in lap on a cushion are also made of wood. They gaze at the wall in front of them with half-closed eyes. During this half or one-hour session, a Zen teacher walks around the room holding a ‘Keisaku’, a long and flat wooden stick. The teacher keeps a constant eye on the meditators to see if anyone is feeling sleepy or has lost concentration. He goes very calmly to the sleepy person, stands behind or in front of him and gives a whack on his shoulder. The pupil after getting the whack, bows down to the teacher in a gesture of gratitude. The teacher also bows down to the pupil as if saying ‘I am sorry’. It is a wonderful experience that trains the mind to remain in present time.
Zazen or Zen meditation is a very useful training system for mind-body relaxation which is an essential need for the psychological health of humans in this world of stress, anxiety and depression which deplete the immunity level causing multiple life-threatening diseases and disorders. Therefore, let’s zazen. Let’s live in the present, let’s live in peace.
Mumtaz Shah
Excellent article Mumtaz! Enjoyed reading it. It reminded me of college time in physics class, when the professor tossed a piece of chalk to wake up a sleepy student and everyone laughed!
Eric, you have given a very good example of the teacher who woke the sleeping guys in classroom. This is the basic principal of conditioning. The whack on the shoulder conditions the pupil to remain awake and focused. But this is not a technique of punishment. It is associated with humility, forgiveness and gratitude both from the teacher and the pupil.
good article. it is extremely difficult indeed to live in peace with the present, until u train urself to do it. either by zen or yoga.
Philip Utarid, I understand that it is not easy to forget the past and stop worrying about the future. But as you have said that with meditational training, it is possible. But please note that the aim is not to forget the past and the future. The goal for attaining peace is not to burden our mind with past and future. The basic idea is to remain focused on the present.
Thank you very much for sharing this article with us. Indeed it is very difficult to live in peace with the present. But we can make it possible if we do not keep any grudge against any one. and we are ready to forgive each other. When the Zen teacher gives a whack on the shoulder of the pupil, he never gets mad. but instead bows down to the teacher, meaning he is forgiving the teacher, because the teacher is leading him to the right path.and the teacher also bows down, to say that I am sorry for that. Just like turning your other cheek is taught to us in the Bible. We can live in peace, if we give peace to others.
You are right Berty James, the humility and forgiveness are the hallmarks of Zen philosophy.
Great life learn message 👍❤️❤️
Dr. Emmanuel Aziz, the Western health experts have taken several meditational techniques from the ancient spiritual, mystical practices and adapted them into effective psychotherapeutic techniques.
A brilliant article highlighting the benefits of meditation. Yes, if one can focus his mind on the present moments, one can diminish ones stress and anxiety. The principle being that in truth, at any given time one is living only in the present moments. That being the case, yesterdays failures or tomorrows fears cannot bother a person who is mentally focused on the present. Therefore, some say, that its important to live in the now. All this is compatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Thank you Mumtaz for relating your experience of Zen meditation. I agree this is also a good way to promote peace.
You are very right Albert in saying that attainment of peace is the ultimate goal. We need to live in the present and shun the failures of the past and anxieties about the future. I agree with you that the philosophy is compatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for sharing. I’m an impulsive thinker and therefore prone to low concentration at times which leads to confusion of the brain revolving around the past and no future pivot. I wish I could train myself for peace within without focussing on my self made problems. I think I’ll try the WALL method 🙃
Indeed, Leena Attaullah. Wall gazing method is a centuries old proven method that works wonders. There are, however, so many variations and modifications introduced by health experts such as concentration on breathing while meditating and easy sitting or lying posture. For people who cannot sit cross-legged, they can do Zazen sitting on a comfortable chair.
Enjoyed it very much. With negativity it’s hard living in peace, but no harm in trying for one’s own good.
Look forward to more such articles.
Since I have personally experienced the results, I recommend any meditational practice for positive thinking. The health and education experts have developed modified versions of meditation techniques such as mindfulness guided meditation and autogenic training.
I am touched by the story, It’s beautiful!
I read this story many years back when I was in Japan. The Zen meditation sessions I attended with with Zen teachers and pupils were a great experience.
Thanks for sharing.I believe in a way easier method of meditation where there is no use of a whack.I will surely lose my mind if I have to sit and glaze in front of the empty wall. For me God speaks to me as I spend time with Him and meditate on His Word. When you meditate and think on the scriptures, the Holy Spirit will give you revelation. God will give you understanding from the scriptures on how to apply His wisdom in any given situation. You will be stable and prosper in all you do if you meditate on God’s Word. Wait on God and stay in His presence. The Holy Spirit will illuminate the scriptures for you to apply in the everyday decisions in your life. Your answer is in the Word of God. Your life will be changed as you learn these supernatural success secrets.