| The key to understanding Zen Buddhism is to | | | | need to do this or that in order to get this or that, |
| understand the phrase "I don't know." In this phrase | | | | which at the end will make us happy. Unfortunately, |
| is hidden the secrets of Zen and Zen Meditation. At | | | | this approach has failed. Human beings always get |
| first glance this may seem counter intuitive or just a | | | | used to what they have and then inevitably start to |
| play on words, but I assure you that is not the case. | | | | demand more. It just does not matter what it is or |
| This is really the essence of Zen and once you grasp | | | | how much you have. You will eventually get used to |
| what is being implied here, all the Zen teachings will | | | | having it and then will want more. The only way out |
| start to make sense. | | | | of this endless cycle of desire is to surrender to the |
| The problem, according to Zen is not "not-knowing", | | | | sate of "I Don't Know." |
| it is in fact knowing too much. What needs to be | | | | When you can really say "I Don't Know", then there |
| qualified here is the type of knowledge that is being | | | | is little for the mind to chase and pursue. Then you |
| referred to. There is knowledge that is factual, such | | | | just look at life and do what is necessary and as you |
| as the distance to the moon or the elemental | | | | continue on in this way of living in the moment, |
| makeup of water, but the knowledge that is being | | | | desire starts to lose its grip on you. In Zen this is |
| indicated here, is the knowledge having to do with | | | | called mindful living. Real freedom then makes its |
| our security and happiness. In other words, all that | | | | welcome appearance as awareness, free now from |
| we know about what we ought to be doing to get | | | | outward seeking, moves inward and reveals the |
| out of life maximum happiness, is the knowledge that | | | | secrets hidden deep within us. |
| we need to purge ourselves of. | | | | To work towards this state of "I Don't Know", you |
| For ease of communication I will call this knowledge | | | | need to question all your desires. Too often, in this |
| "Emotional Knowledge", as it relates to how we need | | | | atmosphere of commercialism, we have been |
| to go about increasing pleasure/happiness and | | | | seduced by clever advertisement and social |
| decreasing pain/sorrow. This Emotional Knowledge, | | | | propaganda. Corporations and those in power need |
| Zen is saying, is what drives us to endlessly seek and | | | | you to buy into the happy, pleasurable future they |
| endlessly be restless. In other words, having | | | | are promising, else they will either lose their sale or |
| accepted innumerable theories on how we need our | | | | your vote. So you need to see if you can remain |
| life to be in order to be happy, we are caught in a | | | | untouched by this atmosphere of endless |
| cycle of endless desire chasing these goals. Zen says, | | | | consumption. Once you buy in, then you are in the |
| drop Emotional Knowledge or at least don't | | | | rat race, because now you think you know what you |
| emphasize it and instead just be open to the | | | | need to get to be happy and so you are off and |
| moment and meet the challenge of life which is right | | | | running, if you don't buy in you stand apart and are |
| under your nose. | | | | free. |
| It is very hard to really say "I Don't Know." All kinds | | | | So next time someone asks you, What is it that you |
| of theories, beliefs, ideologies, philosophies have been | | | | want in life? Look at them and just smile. Welcome |
| forced into us since we were impressionable children, | | | | to the wonderful world of Zen. |
| which now dominate our mind and lives. We feel we | | | | |