In The Midst of Activity

Tenshin Roshi reads from the Writings of Zen Master Hakuin:

“I am not trying to tell you to discard completely quietistic meditation and to seek specifically for a place of activity to carry on your practice. What is most worthy of respect is a pure koan meditation that neither knows nor is conscious of the two aspects, the quiet and the active. That is why it has been said that the true practicing person walks but does not know they are walking, sits but does not know they are sitting.

For penetrating to the depths of one’s own true self-nature and for attaining a vitality valid on all occasions, nothing can surpass meditation in the midst of activity.”