Zen is the Japanese name for the ancient philosophy of Oneness. The heart of this philosophy is that we do not exist as separate people but coexist with all in the universe.

Zen is easy — zen is life NOW, exactly as it is. Zen is being in the moment. No thinking about yesterday, no thinking about tomorrow, but instead focusing your mind and attention on this moment, and this moment only. There is no you in Zen, only this moment.

Zen began from the teachings of Buddha in fifth century B.C.E. Buddhism was mixed with ancient Chinese Taoism and together they formed an approach to spirituality know as Ch’an. In the twelfth century, Ch’an reached Japan and became known as Zen.

Zen symbol

Zen is not about grasping certain ideas, it is about discovering the source of all ideas. Zen is not interested in abstract speculations. Zen wants us to get real. To really be alive. To experience each moment, NOW. To really see things as they are, not as we expect, assume, wish or fantasize them to be. Zen is about no illusions. It is active and wholly experiential.

The truth is to be lived, not mouthed. — Hui-neng

The Zen path is a circle that brings us back to where we already are — here and now (see above). Zen is nothing special. It is living our everyday lives in an extraordinary adventure of awakening. It is doing what we do, but with full awareness. It is not about introducing spirituality into our lives. It is recognizing the miracle that we are already living.

No one can teach you Zen. Zen is about discovering your essential nature for yourself. It is a personal journey that you must embark upon by yourself. We are all sleepers waiting to awaken from the dream of separateness. Please visit our page frequently as we introduce ideas to help you on your journey.