Zen Is Right Here

Anecdote Index

ZIRH cuke page

48 - counting

previous --- next

Suzuki Roshi had asked his students at Tassajara to practice counting their breathes, a traditional method of meditating, over the ninety day training period. Many people found it difficult. Their questions to him at times revealed that they saw it as a technique, one they hoped they would perfect someday.

In a lecture, Suzuki said, "When you count your breathing: one, two, three...it means "right now, right now, right now." It means that you never lose your practice. You will not be so rigid as to try to do it in the future, but right now."

p.50. David Chadwick, Sokoji, 1969.

note: this attribution seems off, especially the date and place. Must check.