Expert: Joe McSorley - 12/19/2010

Question
While learning Reiki, I read few books that relate to Buddhism, though Reiki itself has no roots in any religion. I also read few articles on Zen and inspired with it.

Since last two years, due to few unfortunate things that happened in my life, I am in a deep depressed state and lost happiness altogether.

I want to know what is Zen and the Tao philosophy and how it can bring balance in my life. What is the essence of Zen and how it improves life?

Answer
Dear Rohit,
I cannot sell Zen or Taoism as a cure for your suffering as many religions are sold to the public as a cure for all ills.  There is not a system of belief or a believed in reward after death.  Buddhism came about because the historical Buddha observed the suffering in the world as a fact, he then sought the cause of human suffering and then release from it.  It took great self-inquiry on his part to do this and strong commitment to this search.  The essence of Zen is to discover who it is that suffers. The particular practices of Zen don’t matter if you seek to know your true being. If this is something that appeals to you then you might find resolution to your suffering as the historical Buddha did.  Hopefully you will investigate what causes your suffering and how it is you have come into being, the source of your life.  When you know the root cause of suffering and the root source of yourself suffering will cease.  To quote Bodhidharma , “ The way is long and difficult”.  
  In Zen and Taoism it is deep self-inquiry that helps one to see the illusion of our minds.  That which separates us from nature/reality is our mind yet we don’t know who that mind is.  By inquiring into ourselves we eventually wipe away the illusion of whom we think we are and see who we really are.  Any Zen practice without this emphasis will be too shallow to have effective results.
  I do hope that whatever you do that you are released from your pain.  Take care,
         Joe