Thought

We have all experienced that one moment of pure clarity of mind, even if we can only see it retrospectively.

It might have been when we were in a foreign country, driving on the other side of the road, through a busy city.

It may have been when hanging over the precipiceof a mountain rock face when we were climbing without ropes.

Possibly it was when that one person we spend most of our days thinking about, actually kissed us.

Ultimate concentration, focus, the obliteration of all else from the mind without realising it – we have all been there.

When someone throws us a ball, we reach out to catch it without thinking. Instinct, self-preservation, concentration – these all help to empty the mind, and when the mind is empty, we find peace.

And as soon as we think about it, consciously realise that our mind is empty of thought, thought re-enters and the state has passed.

For there lies the rub. One cannot think about not thinking. By the very thought, we are thinking, and are therefore not not thinking.

In Zen we sit, not to ignore thoughts, but to find a space where thoughts are not needed, distraction is not needed. The more we practice the closer we are to finding peace, but we cannot strive for it, it will come of its own accord.

Buddhas are enlightened by delusion, others are deluded by enlightenment.