When you sit still in a calm state, you notice small changes.
For example, you will notice the smallest sensations in your body, small fluctuations in your emotions, and various changes that occur around you, things that you would normally overlook.
So, while observing these various changes with as high a resolution as possible, we try to understand anew the reality that is happening to us and around us. I believe that the art of zazen is the art of understanding the world by accumulating this observation and understanding: knowing oneself, knowing people, knowing humanity, knowing animals, knowing living creatures, knowing nature...and so on.
If we can understand ourselves and the world better, we will be able to choose how to live in a satisfactory manner, and even if there are things we can’t control, we can change the way we deal with them by understanding how they are uncontrollable in our own way.However, it is tiring to be constantly in a posture of active exploration and analysis during zazen.
At such times, I just savor the situation I am in, as if I am "just letting go," which is different from actively seeking. I do not focus on any one point in particular, but rather, I simply "surrender myself to the sensations of my entire body" or "surrender myself to the air around me. I call this "passive observation.
This state of "passive observation" is also interesting.Because you surrender yourself to things that are happening at a pace different to your own, you get a taste of a pace other than your own. You will then become aware of the fact that there are perspectives and feelings different from your own, and this will help you gain new perspectives.
However, it can be quite difficult to actually do this.For example, the unconscious urge to tag every single event that happens around you with language gets in the way, your brain starts imagining things on its own before you know it, and you find yourself drawn back into everyday events...
You may realize that your consciousness always does its own thing. But there is no need to force anything. This fact is not something to be denied, but simply a reality.If you notice the impulse of consciousness, you can observe it gently and say, "So that's how my consciousness is moving, hmmm...
You can change course and start observing the impulses of consciousness as you go.
I believe that you should enjoy both active and passive observation.
Tosei Shinabe
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