What is Zen?

“Let go, or be dragged.” Zen Proverb

There are enough quotes about Zen to fill encylopedias and enough books claiming some tenuous relationship to Zen and Buddhism to fill a new age bookstore—no thanks.

After nearly thirty years of being interested in and practicing Zen and Buddhism, I have nothing to add to the word salad—other than to echo the sentiment quoted.

Zen is ordinary, it is everything being experienced right now, and it cannot be vanquished or extinguished by any form of therapy, or hallucinogenic, or prayer. Zen is, until it is is not.

In so far as it related to our work, Zen is about accessing the openness and ease of acceptance. And nothing more than that.

If we can accept our ordinary and everyday lives—and the suffering that often comes with it, we will be OK.

I’d tell you to “hang in there” but I really mean “let go”.

Stop wishing for another life, wife, husband, body, car, home, health, and accept. Work with what you have.

Let go.

For more about zen and the influences I value from it—please see the suggested reading page.