“When you hear the words, ‘Your entire life is a practice,’ what comes to mind?” You might think that “practice” requires a special place or dedicated time. But in Zen, it’s different. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, practice is possible.
In the teachings of Zen, practice is not limited to the time spent sitting in zazen. Life itself is practice. From the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to sleep at night, every single action is a part of your practice. So, how can you practice outside of zazen?
What is Practice? The Answer Lies in “What Is Now”
The answer is simple: “All there is, is what is now.” Free yourself from being trapped in the past or future, and avoid adding unnecessary things. This is the essence of practicing “being here now.” Clean and refreshing, isn’t it?
For example, if you are sitting, there is simply a state of sitting. If you are standing, there is a state of standing. Life is about living each moment as it is, without carrying over what happened yesterday.
However, most people do not live in the “now.” Instead, they live trapped in their thoughts—as if locked inside a “chatterbox.” This chatterbox is the state of constantly thinking about the past or the future. “Yesterday went like this,” “That person said this,” “What if this happens?” This state of being preoccupied with thoughts is the root of suffering.
Where Does Suffering Come From?
Living a life of suffering happens simply because we are unaware of the truth that “all there is, is what is now.” Many people live trapped in the snare of their thoughts. But fundamentally, suffering does not exist. Being at ease is our natural state.
And yet, humans create problems for themselves and try to solve them. “I should have said this then” “What if I fail next time?” By being caught up in the past or future, we bring suffering upon ourselves. However, if you realize there is no problem to begin with, there is no need for solutions. This is what it means to live in a “normal” state.
The Power of Living in the “Present Moment”
Enlightenment is the complete realization of the truth that “all there is is what is now.” What’s crucial is recognizing that even the concept of “I” is merely a construct created after the fact.
By transcending the “I” that exists within your thoughts and fully committing to the present reality, the very idea of problems loses its meaning. At that moment, you realize that what you called “yourself” was just a concept all along.
When you come to this realization, you may even wonder, “What were problems to begin with?” Humans have the capacity to reach this level of understanding. Step by step, continue practicing living in the present. This is what it means to truly live.
Conclusion: Begin Living Your True Life
The practice of 24-hour being is about stepping out of the chatterbox and living in harmony with the facts of the moment. Free yourself from being caught in the past or future, and simply live “here and now.” By committing to this, you will find your way back to a state of natural peace.
This very moment, live with the facts in front of you. This is the essence of the “24-hour practice” taught by Zen. Begin practicing “being here now” step by step. This small step will guide your life toward natural ease and tranquility.
Words and photo by K E I K O
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