Before Thinking, We Are Already Alive

Even without thinking, we are already living at 100%.

We breathe, see, hear, feel, and respond.

Life is not something managed or carried out by the head—

it is the natural activity of life itself, arising before thought.

To attune ourselves to that living movement—this is the way of zazen (sitting Zen).

We are always in action.

The eyes receive light, the ears receive sound, the nose smells,

the tongue tastes, the skin touches, and thoughts arise .

From morning to night, and night to morning, this activity never ceases, as we encounter countless conditions. We live through conditions—

and are moved by them. This is what it means to be alive.

So in zazen, simply see as seeing happens,

hear as hearing happens,

smell as smelling happens,

feel as feeling happens.

Let everything be just as it is.

When thought appears, don’t grasp it—

let it pass through on its own.

And off the cushion is no different.

Thoughts are not who you are.

Thought is a tool.

When you don’t need it, you don’t have to pick it up.

Rest instead in your hands, your feet—this very moment.

Loosen your grip on the steering wheel of the mind,

and let evaluation and interpretation soften and pause.

Do not seek enlightenment.

Do not paint an image of awakening. Just be here, as it is.

And then it becomes clear.

We are already fully alive, long before we think.

There is only this present moment.

When this truth stands up by itself, we quietly know—

I can live just like this.

Words and Photo by K E I K O