Topezdragon_42, Thinking, whether it be Western or Eastern, does not have anything MISSING. Thinking, when not put in proper perspective, ADDS a lot of activity that is unnecessary and misleading.
All that is necessary to practice zen is to sit (do zazen - zen meditation). To sit means just that - to sit. Nothing more. It's that simple. It doesn't mean to sit AND count your breathes and focus you concentration on your hara or work on a koan, fix your gaze on a spot on the wall or chant a mantra; although all of the aforementioned activities can be used as beginning techniques to bring you to a point where you can just sit. And sitting doesn't even necessarily mean physically sitting. You can practice zazen whether you're sitting in the lotus position or on a chair, or walking around or driving your car. Sitting, to me, actually refers to placing your intellectual/thinking mind into a state of inactivity, rather than your body. Although as with the items mentioned before, sitting motionless in a quiet room can be used as a beginning technique. Teachers, books, websites, zen forums, etc., are like all the other techniques - they can be useful in the beginning you get you started and keep you going until you can just sit. But teachers, books, etc., can also be hindrances if you start paying too much attention to what they are saying and not concentrating on what you are doing - and that is to just sit. Good luck in your quest! You're on the road now. There is no turning back; there is only the road ahead or regret in not taking it. And welcome to the Zen Forum.Bill! topezdragon_42 wrote: Hello every one. I become interested in Zen after reading a book about the eastern ways. it seems to me to have something that western thinking has been missing.
