10 Lessons Christians Can Learn From Zen Buddhism

Start from Scratch

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few," said the Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki.

In Zen, beginner's mind is the ideal state. It is a mind that has no preconceptions about the world, one that is open and eager to learn. Even someone who has studied Zen for many years tries to retain this attitude of receptivity. A beginner doesn't have to unlearn anything. With no preconceptions, she can approach the world with the freshness of a child.

Perhaps Jesus meant something similar when he said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." In both Christianity and Buddhism, we are reminded that humility and openness are essential for those on a spiritual path.

Follow the Breath

Zen has been described as the art of living in attunement with the breath, for the heart of Zen practice is breathing meditation. A classic zazen (sitting meditation) technique is simply to count four breaths, over and over again. When a thought intrudes, attention is gently returned to the breath, which becomes a vehicle for concentration and an opening to peace.

Scientific research tells us that practicing meditation is good for us physically, but it's good for our souls as well. Thomas Keating has helped many Christians discover Christianity's own version of zazen, Centering Prayer. As in Zen, the repetition of a word or phrase can quiet the tumult in our minds and open us to insight and spiritual growth.

We should also remember that in Genesis, it is the divine Breath (ruah) that gives life to the world. By connecting with our own breath, in holy silence, we link ourselves to the One who gives us each breath.

Practice Simplicity

The Zen esthetic is spare and minimal, a single flower rather than a bouquet, understatement rather than ostentation, homemade rather than mass-produced. Outward simplicity is meant to mirror inner calm.

Just as we need to empty our minds of distractions, the spaces in which we live also should be pared down. Give away those possessions that are not useful or beautiful. De-clutter and try to use products that are in harmony with the earth. Appreciate those things that have a patina of age and use.

Simplicity can be applied to our busy schedules as well. Think of what brings you meaning and benefits the world, and what you do simply because it's what you've always done. Saying "no" to some commitments means you can say "yes" to what is truly important.

Empty Yourself

The word "empty" generally has a negative connotation in western culture, but in Zen it is viewed differently. Emptiness is seen as the state of being receptive, of giving up resistance and struggle. An ancient teaching uses the metaphor of a wagon wheel to explain the importance of emptiness. The spokes of a wheel all converge at the hub, but it is the emptiness at its center that permits the wheel to turn.

Think of all the ways in which our daily lives are full of commitments, duties, thoughts, desires, and activities. Zen counsels us that the wise person is one who has emptied himself of these distractions so that he can rest in perfect tranquility.

Christian theology has a parallel in the Greek concept of kenosis, which means emptying. Theologians talk about Jesus emptying himself when he took on human form, but it's also a model for all who seek God's will for their lives. In emptying ourselves, we become open and receptive to the divine.

When You Drink Tea, Drink Tea

Too often when we engage in an activity, our minds are thinking of something else. That's why the Zen principle of mindfulness is so powerful. It calls us to be fully present in each moment, living it fully because it will not pass this way again. The ritual of the tea ceremony is an enactment of the principle of mindfulness.

Eating mindfully can be a good way to start. When you eat an orange, for example, be fully present as you peel the skin, break apart the sections, and eat each bite. Savor the smell and the sense of sweetness on your tongue.

The eighteenth-century Christian writer Jean-Pierre De Caussade wrote of a similar concept in his book The Sacrament of the Present Moment: "The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams ...The will of God is manifest in each moment, an immense ocean which only the heart fathoms insofar as it overflows with faith, trust and love."

Appreciate Silence

Quakers understand the value of silence, but most other Christians don't. Too often we feel that the more words and music our worship has, the better. Zen reminds us that often what is most powerful cannot be spoken.

Studies show that spending time in silence can lower our blood pressure, slow our heart rate, and reduce our level of stress hormones. Spiritually, silence can work wonders as well, allowing us to open our hearts to God and quiet the noise within. This is the reason why mystics of many faiths have journeyed into the desert, from Elijah and Jesus to Mohammed. In that silent landscape, the divine voice can be heard most clearly.

We don't need to journey far away to experience such peace. Simply turn off the external noise of your daily life and close your eyes. Follow the words of Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God.

Find a Teacher

Because Zen emphasizes spoken communication over the written word, the role of a good teacher becomes especially important. In this tradition, a teacher serves as a guide, a prod, and a confidant, someone who has walked the path before and who can point out the pitfalls along the way.

We have a related practice in Christianity called spiritual direction, in which a trained mentor advises people on their spiritual lives. Many denominations are rediscovering the value of this ancient practice. Once reserved primarily for those seeking ordination, spiritual direction is now recognized as valuable for any person seeking a deeper relationship with God. Some have called these directors "midwives for the soul." Like a Zen master, they can point a new direction when a seeker has lost her way.

Ask Questions

Zen is famous for its koans, which are stories or questions meant to trigger enlightenment, or awakening to the true nature of the universe. Two well-known ones are "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" and "What is your original face before you were born?" Often paradoxical and puzzling, they are meant to jolt the learner out of her usual patterns of thinking so that a new understanding breaks through.

As Christians, we often emphasize answers over questions and doctrine over discussion. Zen teaches that questions are an essential part of spiritual growth. Who am I? What is my purpose in life? What do I value most? Wrestling with these Christian koans can trigger insight.

Accept That Change Is Inevitable

A great Zen teacher described the fundamental Buddhist perspective this way: "Not always so." Zen teaches that existence is always in flux, ever-changing and fluid. All things, from stars and humans to mountains, are part of a cycle of birth and decay. A wise person recognizes this immutable fact and faces it with equanimity.

The doctrine of impermanence can help us endure suffering, because it says that this too will pass away. If we do not cling to it, but simply note it, we can ease its pain.

This understanding is not totally foreign to Christianity, for the Bible also counsels us about the transitory nature of earthly things, including our own lives. In the words of Psalm 103: "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." Accepting that life is ever-changing can make us value it all the more. We need to honor each moment and let it go.

Chop Wood, Carry Water

"Before Enlightenment, chop wood carry water, after Enlightenment, chop wood carry water." This famous saying indicates the value Zen places on the ordinary, day-to-day activities of life. Any activity can be a vehicle for spiritual growth: raising children, baking bread, driving a school bus, and balancing a checkbook. Zen does not make the mistake many Christians do of dividing the world into secular and sacred realms.

We would do well to remember that the majority of our lives are spent in these seemingly ordinary activities, not bathed in the light streaming through a church's stained glass windows. Learning to live these moments mindfully and with a sense of gratitude puts us in kinship with our Buddhist brothers and sisters and deepens our own Christian practice.