Practice must be rooted in the present moment without attachment to thoughts from "summary" of The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi by Yixuan,Burton Watson
To engage fully with the essence of Zen, one must anchor themselves in the immediacy of the present. This requires an awareness that transcends the distractions of thoughts, judgments, and preconceived notions. When the mind wanders, tethered to past regrets or future anxieties, it veers away from the clarity of now. The true practice involves embracing each moment as it unfolds, free from the entanglements of mental constructs. Observations arise, thoughts may surface, yet they are not to be clung to or identified with. Instead, like clouds drifting across a vast sky, thoughts come and go. The practitioner learns to observe them without interference, cultivating a space of stillness and presence.
In this state of being, one discovers the profound nature of existence. Every action becomes a manifestation of awareness, a direct expression of the present reality. Each breath, each movement, each sound carries the weight of immediacy, illuminating the simplicity of life as it is, devoid of embellishment or attachment.
The teachings emphasize that attachment to thoughts can create a barrier, obscuring the pure experience of now. Recognizing this allows one to let go, fostering a deeper connection to the unfolding moment. As the practitioner cultivates this awareness, the mind becomes a serene lake, reflecting the world without distortion, allowing clarity to arise naturally.
In this way, the journey unfolds not as a pursuit of enlightenment, but as an intimate dance with the present, a celebration of existence itself in its purest form. Such practice integrates seamlessly into daily life, transforming the mundane into the sacred, revealing the extraordinary within the ordinary.
