Zen

What’s True Thanksgiving About?

THE SHORT STAFF

Shuzan held out his short staff and said,

“If you call this short staff, you oppose its reality.”

“If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact.”

“Now what do you wish to call this?”

Questioner: Acharya Ji, Pranaam! Please help me understand… read_more

“I thank the Lord for all that he has given me.” This is a totally nonsensical prayer. You should thank for what he has not given you. "Thanks for not giving me disease." It's very easy to miss that you do not have a disease. Truth is so easy to miss because it is an absence. Truth is always ‘not’ something. It is the absences that you must be thankful for.

What Is Meant by Human Nature

12 min

Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, “Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting?” “Because”, the monk replied, “to save it is my nature.”

ज़ेंन के अनुसार ध्यान कैसे करें?

19 min

आचार्य प्रशांत: देखते हैं दुनिया को; उसमें पहली डुएलिटी (द्वैत) तो पैदा होने के साथ ही आ जाती है। पहली डुएलिटी है कि — ये मैं हूँ और ये रहा संसार, और ये दोनों अलग-अलग हैं। पैदा होने के कुछ ही समय बाद शरीर का बोध आ जाता है, और… read_more

What is Zen? A clean plate || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)

8 min

A monk told Joshu, “I have just entered this monastery. I beg you to teach me.”

Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your rice porridge?”

The monk replied, “I have.”

“Then,” said Joshu, “Go and wash your bowl.”

At that moment the monk was enlightened.

AP: Nothing except this is needed.… read_more

The false will drop || On Zen (2016)

4 min

Whenever anyone asked him about Zen, the great master Gutei would quietly raise one finger into the air. A boy in the village began to imitate this behaviour. Whenever he heard people talking about Gutei’s teachings, he would interrupt the discussion and raise his finger. Gutei heard about boy’s mischief. … read_more

Liberation is nothing but your ‘yes’ to Liberation || On Zen (2016)

4 min

A monk asked Seijo, “Daitsu Chisho Buddha did zazen (meditated) for ten kalpas in a Meditation Hall, could not realize the highest truth, and so could not become fully emancipated. Why was this?”

Seijo said, “Your question is a very appropriate one!”

The monk asked again, “Why did he not … read_more

Have you any God? || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)

The only right answer to all real questions || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)

Acharya Prashant: Joshu went to Hermit and asked, “What’s up? What’s up?” The Hermit lifted up his fist and Joshu said, “Water is too shallow to enter here and went away”. Joshu visited the Hermit once again, a few days later and said, “What’s up? What’s up?” The Hermit raised … read_more

8 min

A monk asked Joshu, “Has the dog Buddha nature?”

Joshu replied, “Moo”

Acharya Prashant: Moo stands for nothing. Everything about the dog and the Buddha is different. As long as you compare a thing about the dog and the Buddha, you’ll only find differences. As long as the dog is… read_more

Zen is the final flowering of all religious ascension || (2016)

3 min

Questioner (Q): Spiritual way tends to be more direct and I feel Zen-Buddhism actually misleads from the direct path.

Acharya Prashant (AP): Zen never imposes any rule. Or does it? Is that your question that Zen imposes rule?

Q: Yes.

AP: What kind of rules?

Q: Rules of the way… read_more

The teacher uses your bondages to take you to freedom || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)

17 min

Suiwo, the disciple of Hakuin, was a good teacher. During one summer seclusion period, a pupil came to him from a southern island of Japan. Suiwo gave him the problem: ‘Hear the sound of one hand.’ The pupil remained three years but couldn’t pass this test. One night he came… read_more

The sound of one hand clapping || On Zen (2016)

4 min

Questioner (Q): Sir, ‘The sound of one hand clapping’. Please explain the Koan.

Acharya Prashant (AP): All our life, only that has happened to us, which has a cause and an effect. All our life, only that has happened to us, which is dualistic. When the Zen Master is saying… read_more

Observe your daily life - that is the only way || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)

भजन, ध्यान की श्रेष्ठ विधि || आचार्य प्रशांत (2013)

Joshu asked Nansen, “What is the way?”

Nansen answered: ‘Ordinary mind is the way.’

‘Then should we direct ourselves towards it or not? asked Joshu.

Nansen said: ‘If you try to direct yourself toward it, you go away from it.

‘Joshu then continued: ‘If we do not try how can … read_more

श्रवण, मनन, निदिध्यासन और समाधि || आचार्य प्रशांत, रमण महर्षि पर (2013)

आचार्य प्रशांत: ध्यान की तीन बेहतरीन विधियाँ हैं। हज़ारों हो सकती हैं, इसमें ये तीन सर्वश्रेष्ठ हैं। पहला — जप; जप का अर्थ है दोहराना, रिपिटिशन , ताकि भूलें नहीं, लगातार याद रहे, कोंस्टेंट रिमेंबरेन्स (सतत स्मरण)। लगातार नाम लिया जाता रहे, लगातार नाम लिया जाता रहे।

दूसरा, इस बात… read_more

14 min

श्रवणादिभिरुद्दीप्तज्ञानाग्निपरितापितः । जीवः सर्वमलान्मुक्तः स्वर्णवद्द्योतते स्वयम् ॥

हृदाकाशोदितो ह्यात्मा बोधभानुस्तमोऽपहृत् । सर्वव्यापी सर्वधारी भाति भासयतेऽखिलम् ॥

दिग्देशकालाद्यनपेक्ष्य सर्वगं शीतादिहृन्नित्यसुखं निरंजनम् । यः स्वात्मतीर्थं भजते विनिष्क्रियः स सर्ववित्सर्वगतोऽमृतो भवेत् ॥

जब जीव श्रवण आदि द्वारा प्रज्वलित ज्ञानाग्नि में भलीभाँति तप्त होता है, तो वह साड़ी मलिनताओं से मुक्त होकर स्वर्ण की … read_more

जैसा जीवन वैसी मृत्यु || आचार्य प्रशांत (2017)

10 min

प्रश्नकर्ता: आचार्य जी, एक चैप्टर पढ़ा ‘सम्बन्ध’ पुस्तक से, उसमें एक चीज़ थी जो समझ नहीं आई, 'हमारे रिश्ते ख़राब इसलिए होते हैं क्योंकि वो हमारी अपूर्णता से निकलते हैं'। पूरा जीवन जब सम्बन्ध ही है और अकेले हम रह नहीं पाते, अकेलापन महसूस भी होता है। तो फिर यह… read_more

अध्यात्म है दोनों से आज़ादी || ज़ेन कोआन पर (2018)

पूर्णता मुखर मौन है; तुम्हारी सारी कहानियाँ अपूर्णता की हैं || आचार्य प्रशांत, ज़ेन पर (2014)

ज़ेन कोआन: मोकुसेन का हाथ

मोकुसेन तांबे के घर में रहते थे। एक अनुयायी ने एक दिन मोकुसेन को अपनी पत्नी के कंजूस व्यवहार के बारे में बताया। मोकुसेन उस अनुयायी के घर गए और उसकी पत्नी को अपनी बंद मुट्ठी दिखाई।

अनुयायी की पत्नी ने आश्चर्य से पूछा, “इसका… read_more

11 min

एंटरिंग द फ़ॉरेस्ट ही मूव्स नॉट ऑन द ग्रास

एंटरिंग द वाटर ही मेक्स नॉट अ रिप्पल

~ जेनरिन कुशु

वक्ता: यही जीवन जीने का तरीका है। एक कविता है, बड़ी खूबसूरत है, जो बिलकुल ऐसे ही है कि किसी के कमरे में प्रवेश करना हो और चाहे किसी के… read_more

अशांति और साक्षीभाव

साक्षी भाव इत्यादि का अनुभव करने की होड़ बिलकुल त्याग दो, साक्षी भाव का कोई अनुभव नहीं होता है। साक्षित्व सर्वप्रथम कोई भाव होता ही नहीं है, ये जुमला ही भ्रामक है — साक्षी भाव। और उससे ज़्यादा घातक है ये आकर्षण, ये लोभ कि मैं साक्षित्व का अनुभव कर लूँगा। साक्षित्व का कोई अनुभव नहीं होता। बेवकूफ़ियों के अनुभव में हम जीते हैं और अपनी बेवकूफ़ियों को हम ही ताकत देते हैं। वो ताकत देना बंद करो, साक्षित्व तो है ही।

Science and Spirituality Always Go Hand in Hand

5 min

The most common thing in spirituality and science is 'an honest urge to know the Truth.' Science observes the external universe, and spirituality observes the mind. These two have to be in tandem. The one thing that enables true knowledge in any field is honesty and integrity.

How to Abide in The Shiva Truth? On Ribhu Gita

11 min

So 'know', don’t try to know about Shiva. Shiva is not furniture. Shiva is not a tree. Shiva is not a cloud, not even the sky. How will you know Shiva? Do you know of anything that has no shape, no form, and is eternal? How will you know Shiva? But know, do know. What can you know? This world and yourself. Know that. That knowing is Shiva-ness. Shivatva.

How Is The Bhagavad Gita Relevant Today?

44 min

The Gita is useful because its setting is extremely relatable. Just like us, Arjuna does not know himself—he's a victim of multiple identities and all kinds of conditioning. Therefore, the Gita is about letting Arjuna know who he is, and this illumination enables him to do what he must. So, first of all, see that you are Arjuna. Then, step by step, verse by verse, there will be some resolution.

Why Words Fail to Capture Life’s Truth?

And you can extend this observation to all the things in the world in the sense of our relationship with them. If we are highlighting something in this world, chances are we are going to destroy and distort it. We do not highlight things because they are virtuous or truthful. The ego does not want virtue. The ego has nothing for the truth. For the ego, its own security and preservation come first.

Ghosts Flee from Hanuman’s Power

Mahavir Hanuman is to be taken as the representative of truth. When you are close to the truth, then stupid imaginations do not bother you. Bhoot Pishaach Nikat Nahi Aawe, Mahavir Jab Naam Sunawe. When you are close to the truth, then stupid imaginations do not bother you. That's what these words mean, that's all.

Do We Really Have a Choice or Is It All an Illusion?

10 min

You know, the ego fights so many battles. The ego is always surrounded with problems, is it not? Every problem is a battle, right? The ego is always surrounded with problems. Do you know why we love problems? Because they secure us. There are so many problems, and that proves that I exist. And if the problems disappear, then the logic of my existence disappears.

How to Recognize Experiences that Nurture Egolessness

So, if you can do away with the old object, you have done away with the old ego. It's not that straightforward, but I'm pointing at something—changing the objects that you have been habitually associated with is a necessary but not sufficient condition. It is quite possible that you change all the stuff around you, but the stuff inside you still remains the same. But if you refuse to change even the stuff around you, then it is almost guaranteed that the stuff inside will never change.

Quiet the Mind to Receive Krishna's Wisdom

5 min

No, no, you don't have to be empty of anything. You just have to be empty of the choice to use anything in your defense. You are born with ammunition; you don't have to keep the ammunition aside. Let the gun be there with you—just don't fire at the teacher. That's all that Shri Krishna is saying. You don't have to empty the gun. Keep it loaded; it's all right.

Meditation: A Simple Honesty Beyond Methods and Routines

Meditation: A Simple Honesty Beyond Methods and Routines

Meditation is the submergence of the ego in its essential nature. It is at the root of all self-knowledge and wisdom. However, most often, what we call meditation is just escapism—using some ‘method of meditation’ to superficially soothe our restlessness or gain temporary and deceptive relief from stress.

True meditation… read_more

(Gita-8) The Self and the Joy of Immortality

True meditation… read_more

37 min

If all that the Ego wants is liberation from itself, which means coming to see its own non-existence, then the only way to see its non-existence is by paying attention to itself. The more the Ego pays attention to itself, it sees that it does not exist. The more the Ego remains attached to this and that, all the sensory inputs, the Ego feels that is real and this is real.

श्रीकृष्ण कब अवतरित होंगे?

जब-जब तुम सच्चाई की ओर नहीं बढ़ते, तब-तब जीवन दुख, दरिद्रता, कष्ट, रोग और बेचैनियों से भर जाता है। अधर्म अपने चरम पर चढ़ जाता है, और विवश होकर तुम्हें आँखें खोलनी पड़ती हैं। तब मानना पड़ता है कि तुम्हारी राह ग़लत थी, और ग़लत राह को छोड़कर तुम्हें सत्य की ओर मुड़ना पड़ता है। अतः जब तुम अंधेरे को पीठ दिखाते हो, तो श्रीकृष्ण को अपने समक्ष पाते हो। यही श्रीकृष्ण का अवतरण है।

एंटी मैटर मिलने के बाद हमारी तलाश खत्म हो जाएगी?

3 min

ये इलेक्ट्रॉन पोजिट्रॉन करके आपका दुख दूर होता हो तो कहिए मैं कुछ बोलूँ उसपे फिर। इन चीज़ों से बहुत अच्छा, आज मैंने ये सब कर दिया थोड़ा क़्वांटम थ्योरी वगैरह। इसलिए आप सक्रिय हो गए। मैं इन सबसे बहुत बचता हूँ जहाँ लगता भी है कि यहाँ पर विज्ञान का कोई उदाहरण एकदम समीचीन होगा तो भी उसको दबा देता हूँ थोड़ा। क्योंकि अहम को अपने अलावा किसी और तरफ देखने का बहाना चाहिए। मैं जैसे ही विज्ञान की बात करना शुरू करूँगा तो आप आत्म अवलोकन करने की जगह विज्ञान अवलोकन शुरू कर देंगे।

उसे सौंप दो, उसे संभालने दो, तुम रास्ते से हटो

47 min

यह आदमी जो अपने ऊपर हंसना शुरू करता है, यह अकर्ता हो जाता है। नॉन-डूअर हो जाता है। नॉन-डूअर का मतलब यह नहीं कि अब नॉन-डूइंग हो गई। डूइंग तो बहुत होगी! ज़बरदस्त होगी! घनघोर होगी! कल्याणप्रद होगी! ऑसपिसियस होगी! डूइंग होगी, डूअर नहीं होगा। पर कर्ता नहीं होगा। और जो यह कर्ता-हीन कर्म होता है, "द डीड विदाउट डूअर", इसके क्या कहने! यह फिर अवतारों की लीला समान हो जाता है। यह जीवन को खेल बना देता है। यह पृथ्वी पर स्वर्ग उतार देता है। यह बहुत पुराना जो कैदी है, उसे आकाश की आज़ादी दे देता है।

Kumbh in the Light of Vedanta: Truth Beyond Tradition

13 min

Immortality, and the meaning of life, is the theme of Kumbh. Seen with clarity, everything in the Kumbh narrative revolves around escaping death.

Another Kumbh festival is here. There are several ancient stories behind Kumbh. If the stories are taken merely as tales or folklore, then religion risks becoming merely… read_more

Kumbh: Truth Beyond the Myth

28 min

Amrit is at the center of the story. And where can we get Amrit from? By self introspection. The more a person knows himself, the more he will become free from himself. Free from death. What you think of yourself is known as death. And the more you look at yourself, the more you understand that what I think of myself is all futile. I'm actually not that. Negation, Neti Neti. Amrit does not mean gaining something. Amrit means being free from death.

How Long Should You Meditate?

13 min

It’s unfortunate that today, methods of meditation are being mistaken for meditation itself. Meditation is what makes us human—it must be continuous, 24x7. No method can be continuous or 24x7. Meditation is a way of life, a beautiful love affair. Just as the body cannot wait to breathe, consciousness cannot wait to meditate—it’s a madness of love, not dry, ritualistic, or time-bound.

Is Your Mind Controlled by Society?

I have been insisting continuously that consciousness, real consciousness is a choice. In a process, there is no choice. The fellow in front of you, how much of a choice does he have? If he has no choice, why get angry? And if he has choice, then the mark of having choice is that you will not choose wrongly. And then you will not get a reason to be angry at him. Had he really had a choice, he would have chosen rightly. And had chosen rightly, you would have found no reason to get mad at him.

आज़ादी चाहिए तो पहले मानो कि गुलाम हो (धोखे अहंकार के)

23 min

मन रहेगा तो तन को खाने दौड़ेगा। वो तन को खाएगा और तन के माध्यम से खाएगा। मन जब तक अपने आप को तन से भिन्न समझेगा वो तन का एक ही उद्देश्य के लिए इस्तेमाल करेगा — तन को खा लूँ और तन के माध्यम से दूसरे तनों को खा लूँ। अहम् अपने आप को शरीर से भिन्न इसीलिए मानने के ज़िद करता है; कहता है, ‘मैं शरीर नहीं हूँ, मैं शरीर का स्वामी। शरीर का भोक्ता हूँ। अब मैं शरीर को भोगूँगा और शरीर के माध्यम से और कुछ भोगूँगा।’ जब दिख गया कि शरीर-ही-शरीर हूँ, तो अब क्या भोगूँ! मौज करो। शरीर सरिता है बह रही है, हम भी अपना बस ऐसे ही तिनके की नाई फ़्लोट कर रहे हैं।

क्या आपका भी मन बहुत भटकता है?

48 min

मन नहीं चंचल होता, अहम् चंचल है और चंचल होना उसकी मजबूरी है, उसे चंचल होना पड़ेगा। रुककर, टिककर, थमकर तो वो बैठ सकता है न जिसको घर मिल गया हो, जिसको आश्वस्ति मिल गई हो। अहम् को न कोई घर है, न आश्वस्ति है। उसका तो यही है कि कहीं ज़रा सा कुछ खटका हुआ, उसकी नींद खुल जाती है, ‘मेरी चोरी पकड़ी तो नहीं गई? मेरी चोरी पकड़ी तो नहीं गई!’

Break Free from the Ego’s Trap

The ego does not need an entire purpose of life. It's so much in pain and so full of immediate distress that it's enough for it to pay attention to its immediate surroundings. And the most immediate to the ego is itself. So words like ultimate mean nothing to the ego. The ego is like a patient on a ventilator. That fellow is looking forward to the next hour. Will I see the next day? Will I survive the next hour? That's the ego so much in distress that even the next one hour is difficult to to predict or see through or navigate.

Solution to Overthinking

5 min

The one who has something to live for will never be mentally sick. And mental illness is a pointer that life is devoid of essence. I have no time to be anxious. Even anxiety requires time. I don't have time. Not that you aren't great. Obviously, you are great and powerful. The entire world kneels to you. You're wonderful. But as far as I'm concerned, no vacancy. Give all your inner space to something that is beautiful for you. Let there be no vacancy.

Sir, I Feel Addicted to You

10 min

The ego seeks security from the world and even when it comes to the truth, it still wants to somehow uphold its security. It is all right if one wants to guarantee one's security against the world. But when it comes to truth and beauty, that's when one should just drop the defenses. It is all right to be immersed. It is all right even to be drowned. It is all right even to die. What is the point in conserving something that is anyway imperfect?

हम झूठ के खिलाफ़ विरोध क्यों नहीं करते?

12 min

हम कभी जीवन के तथ्य को स्वीकार नहीं करते कि हमें सत्य से डर लगता है और हम अपनी क्षुद्रताओं और झूठ पर जीना चाहते हैं। फिर हम बड़ी तिरछी चाल चलते हैं। झूठ को सत्य का नाम दे देते हैं और कहते हैं कि सत्य के समर्थन में हैं। सत्य के खिलाफ़ तो सारा संसार खड़ा है, लेकिन इतनी भी आबरू और हिम्मत नहीं होती कि हम खुलकर कह दें कि हम सत्य के खिलाफ़ हैं। हमने झूठ को ही सत्य का नाम दे रखा है और झूठ का समर्थन कर रहे हैं।

Why Do We Insult Our Scriptures?

27 min

In modern times, reading and respecting the Shastras is often seen in a derogatory light. An Asura disregards the scriptures, saying, “What I know is right. My own experience determines the Truth,” rejecting them because they will not allow him to do what he wants. We have come to a point where we are not merely ignoring but actually insulting the scriptures. If you're sincere about knowing life, why avoid a document with deep insights into it?

Living a selfish life? || Neem Candies

1 min

People talk of personal time as opposed to professional time, right? They forget that the profession that they have chosen has also been chosen by the person. So, even that which they are mistakenly calling as professional time is only personal time.

Our lives have only personal time. To be… read_more

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