BE

BE

Chan/Zen way does not talk about the method or methods or techniques of achieving enlightenment.  These fanciful methods or techniques in itself constitutes another obstacle to enlightenment.  The crazy or mad monks in Zen serves as a reminder what the world expects or want is not the spiritual life.

Outsiders are baffled in particular with the Chinese form of Chan.  The monks seem to be a lazy bunch.  Beside the scheduled retreats and twice-daily period of chanting, they seem to be drinking tea; eating sweets all the time. So much so that the Rinzai tradition in Japan calls the Chinese Chan tradition as corrupted.

While there is some truth in this, religions are founded by humans and humans are corrupted so the complaints seems quite void. This complaint misses the point that meditation is not just sitting cross-legged. It is every moment of our life. Whether eating, sleeping, walking, standing, going to the toilet; it is the mindfulness of every moment. Only with this sharp insight can we cut the chains of ignorance. Obsessing with methods, techniques and external appearances only creates new obstacles to our path.

To just be with ourselves is the most difficult part in meditation. In retreats, frequently meditators escape by sticking to the comfort of a routine.  The form of meditation is a crutch for beginners and after you learn to walk; throw away your crutch. Meditation is not about creating another universe!!! 

 Just be!

Have your eaten your instant noodle soup? 

Dr Tan