MUSHIN WHILE WORKING

[dante.gomez]

Hi All,

I'm new here and am a lay zen practitioner. I've been more interested in the practical side of zen and have been trying to apply it to daily activities.

Essentially I'm in a point of doubt in my practice after reading Takuan's "Unfettered Mind" wherein he described the state of Mushin is when you put your mind nowhere (which is everywhere). As I understood this, this is like using peripheral vision instead of focused vision (but applied to all senses). Hence you are one with everything, and would confirm Lieh Tzu's account of "Riding on the Wind".

So great, but does this mean focus and concentration is essentially the wrong way to practice? Like focusing on the breadth, or focusing on the task at hand?

Essentially what I have been experiencing is I can sit and be in mushin. Well and good, but the problem is when I get up and live everyday life. I can only be in the state of mushin during simple activities (like walking, standing, doing simple manual chores). I lose it when I start using my mind (like work - I'm an IT guy). Also its hard not to focus when doing work, talking to someone or anything that involves high mental activity.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks All.

[Samana]

Hi,

I suggest that you ask for advice at Treeleaf Zendo which is an online Soto Zen sangha.

http://www.treeleaf.org/



Kind regards,

Sam

[Captain]

Keep up with the exercises and practice while doing "simple" things and it will eventually bleed into all activities at varying degrees. Keeping your intention alive will greatly increase your awareness. Good luck!

[Samana]

Any advice is appreciated.



In addition to my previous post, there are also several genuine Zen teachers willing to offer advice in the "Ask a Teacher" forum at Zen Forum International.

http://www.zenforuminternational.org/ (http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/redir.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zenforuminternatio nal.org%2F)

Hope that helps.

S.