Expert: Joe McSorley - 11/2/2008

Question
Ive been working with zen style meditation trying to keep my mind clear letting thoughts come and go till the inner voice and images drift away as I focus on the breath.  Should I stick with this one style indefinitely, or work with other techniques such as mantra?

Answer
Dear William,
 I apologize for the delay in answering.  You should do whatever practice takes root in you.  You are not doing the technique for the sake of technique but for a set goal.  If this practice is helping you then concentrate on that alone.  If at some point it does not seem to be helping you then try something else.  There is a trap in Zen practice where people get good at gathering and practicing the techniques as though they in themselves are of substance; they are not. It is like the old story of the master and student crossing the stream on stepping stones and the master picks them up as he goes. When the student asks him why he responds "it is what you are doing clinging to practice".  This in no way negates the importance of practice but emphasizes overcoming practice.
 If your practice of meditation is fruitful then please concentrate on that. I hope this helps you.
 Take care,
     Joe