Oakville Zen Meditation
THINKING THOUGHTLESSLY : WHAT DOES THAT MEAN & HOW TO APPLY IT?
In Zen, "thinking thoughtlessly" (often associated with the Japanese term Mushin, or ("no-mind" / Don’t know mind / Beginning mind) isn't about becoming brainless. It’s a state of spontaneous, non analytic , non judgmemtal unattached awareness about x, y ,z Example: Imagine you are catching a ball that was thrown at you. You don't sit there calculating the trajectory, wind speed, or the cost of the ball. your hand just moves your hand. That "just moving" is the essence of thinking thoughtlessly
Key components of thinking thoughtlessly:
Non-Attachment to the present thought / feeling :
Thoughts/ feelings always pop up, but you don't have to grab onto them. They will pass through your mind quickly like clouds through a clear sky.
The Mirror Mind Thoughtless mind is acting like a mirror.
A mirror reflects whatever is in front of it (a flower, a flying bird, a person) perfectly, but it doesn't analyse, judge, make a decision, nor "keep" the image once the thought/ feeling moves away. It remains empty and ready for the next thing.
No ego-driven duality: In a "thoughtless" state, there is no "ego" or "self" standing between the “ you . the mirror ” and the reflecting train of thoughts/feelings
No specific goal ; just a non- decisional non- judgmental observation.
Why practice it?
The goal is to bypass the "analytical and decisional filters" that often cause hesitation, anxiety, judgment or feelings ( + or - ) By removing the second-guessing of the conscious mind, a person can respond to reality with total unbiased and non decisional clarity. This is why the concept was historically embraced by both monks and martial warriors.
How a thoughtless mind differs from a thinking one:
Thinking Thoughtless thinking
Time Mostly in the past & future In the present moment
Mental Analytic / Conceptual / decisional Intuitive / Observation / Non cognitive
Why, Whom, Where, What, How No question.
Ego Mostly self-centered thinking Selfless: Ego not involved.
Being attached to the thinking: such as No- attachment to the thought / feeling
Desire, hatred, illusions, delusions
Outcome It should be what you expect No extension, no outcome
Dualistic Yes: me & the thought / Feeling Non-dualistic : me and thought are one.
Decision Frequent action such decisional Non decisional
A quick Zen paradox for you: If you try to think thoughtlessly, you are still thinking. again. It’s like trying to go to sleep by focusing really hard on how to sleep.
