Rochester Zen Center Teisho (Zen Talks) A Quiet Mind
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Mar 15, 2026 A talk about letting the mind settle and finding inner stillness through zazen. It explores habitual reactivity, distraction versus open waiting, and a hands-off approach to practice. Metaphors like a snow globe, feather, and fan illustrate patience over force. Themes include working with sound, accepting life’s noise, learning from mistakes, and cultivating kindness amid daily activity.
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Mindful Silence Over Quiet Surroundings
- Silence in zazen is primarily the silence of the mind, not the absence of external noise.
- John Pulleyn emphasizes non-grasping, no agenda sitting as the essential condition for mental silence during meditation.
Stop Stirring The Snow Globe
- Stop stirring the snow globe: cease judging, manipulating, and protecting to let thoughts settle naturally.
- Use patience and persistence like holding a fan still so the feather of attention can land without force.
Hold The Fan Still Without Self-Congratulation
- When distracted, keep the mind on the method and avoid congratulating yourself for success.
- Don’t move toward or away; observe without reacting so the feather-like thought can settle on the fan.