A Principle in Mind

The Art of Teaching

By Ed Altman, Redmond, WA

Have you ever examined a situation in which a child or pet is misbehaving? No matter how much you try to control them they will not respond. A wonderful thing happens when you place your full attention on them, and stop trying to change their behavior. Their breathing grows quiet, and they become still.

The same principle works with your mind. The mind does not respond by being ordered to “be still!” This usually has the opposite effect. However, when the mind is observed very closely, without any attempt to control it, the breath becomes quiet, and the mind is led to stillness.

Many of us spend our “personal work” trying to improve ourselves. This often involves trying to change the way we think, and act toward others. We struggle to be free of petty thoughts, act as we think we should, and often negate our own feelings. Many attempts to change our behavior have little effect because stubborn habit energies are involved. We are trying to become something we’re not, and this can lead to difficulty.

In Zen we work to discover our true nature, or in Justin’s words “who and what we are”. This does not involve changing anything. It is observing the mind in action, and accepting what is seen without attempting to modify it. When the mind is engaged in this practice it is easily brought to stillness. The immersion of the mind in stillness, especially during T’ai Chi Chih, will help the sincere student experience deeper benefits from their practice.