Zazen

Zazen is a curious practice which involves nothing more than simply sitting. Zazen is boring. It is also the greatest invention of mankind.

It is though this kind of exercise that we can come to realize that for much of our time we fail to really register what is happening in the here-and-now. Much of our waking lives are spent reliving an edited version of the past or planning an uncertain future; forever indulging in being elsewhere. Zazen helps us to wake up. Instead of a coherent personality, persisting though time as a single entity, we discover a self ridden with gaps and ambiguities. Who "I am" appears coherent only because of the monologue we keep repeating, editing, and embellishing in our heads.

Emptying the vessel of self and accepting what is left helps us see that everything one encounters in life is empty of absolute identity. Zazen can free us to observe life without getting caught in the commentary.

Zazen is usually practiced facing a wall, though does not have to be. Nor is it important to adopt any of the traditional postures while sitting, as there is nothing esoteric about these; you can practice zazen sitting in a chair if you wish to. All you have to do is sit still and be still.