The early formation of Zen was directed to the intuition of pure Mind, understanding that mentation was a barrier to the student’s awakening, hence, the idea of wu-nian 無念 which means no-mentation which is the same as no-thought 無心.
This is somewhat analogous to waves and water. The waves illustrate delusive thinking which is always conditioned whereas the pure element of water, which is unconditioned, illustrates the Buddha-nature or pure Mind. The former depends upon the latter. The former is only a particular configuration of the latter. According to Zen master Mazu, The conditioned is the function of the unconditioned; the unconditioned is the essence of the conditioned.
In our everyday world we are in a continual state of mentation or thought which is never other than conditioned—never unconditioned. The intensity varies throughout the day.
By electing to study Zen we’ve admitted that our mental life is giving us problems and we would like some peace of mind. When we decide to study Zen we find that learning zazen helps. But as taught in Zen centers zazen is incapable of getting to wu-nian. This is because people today who teach and practice zazen generally fail to understand that real meditation is closer to intuition, a direct acquaintance with wu-nian which reveals the pure Mind. It is only when our thought waves suddenly come to a halt that we are able to see our true Mind and Buddha-nature. Truth be told, wu-nian is no other than seeing the Buddha.
For the average practitioner of Zen they are content with just learning zazen. They find no need to aim for the intuition of pure Mind by the cessation of mentation 無念. Anyway, that’s way too difficult for them because they would have to give up their lifestyle of conspicuous consumption.
Comments