Expert: Stuart Resnick - 10/5/2007

Question
So, practicing Zen, how does that apply to your life, do you things, like meditation, as a daily practice? Is meditation all you do in accordance with Zen, or is there anything else?

Answer
Zen means understanding yourself and helping others. If you have time to practice formal sitting meditation, that's wonderful, but if you don't, you can still practice in your ordinary life.

Ask yourself the great question, "What am I?" If you ask strongly and sincerely, there will be nothing in your mind, only "Don't Know." This mind that doesn't know, that doesn't cling to any idea, is before thinking. It's like a clear mirror that reflects the moment right in front of you.

So just keep this clear, attentive, non-clinging mind, and then whatever you're doing moment to moment, just do it. When you're hungry, eat; when you're tired sleep; when someone is suffering, help them. Since this Don't Know, before-thinking mind has no I/my/me, you can use it to help whatever being you meet.

(Btw, I'm not a Zen Master. I'm what's called a Senior Dharma Teacher, which is lower-class than a Zen Master.)