What Is Zen?
"Entering the gate of Zen
practice simply means returning to your mind as it naturally is
before thinking arises.
This point is universal substance
and your true nature. People sometimes call it true self, or nature,
or Buddha, or God, or energy, or mind, or consciousness, or
holiness, or the Absolute. People call it many, many things, but
originally this point has no name and no form...That is because this
point is already before thinking...
Your relationship to this world
and your relationship to yourself are not based on thinking. Your
correct relationship to this life does not come out of any kind of
understanding. You cannot reason life or death. So if you want to
pass the gate of Zen, first you must completely cut off all
attachment to thinking, and return to your mind before
thinking arises.
For teaching purposes, we sometimes call this point
don't-know mind. Attaining it is very simple, and not far away.
Simply ask yourself, very deeply, 'What am I?' What appears is only
'Don't know...' This is already your true nature."
Zen Master Seung Sahn
The Compass of Zen
