Zen of Chaen

’Zen’, which has been in English since 1727, is the Japanese pronunciation of Chinese chán (quietude). Chán comes from Sanskrit dhyaanam (meditation).The Indo-European root behind the Sanskrit is dheia–, dhya– (to see, look at).

Buddism, as well know, is a philosophy, or a religion, that was founded by the Indian prince Siddhārtha (successful), the first Buddha (awake), in the fifth century BC. According to Encarta Encyclopedia, Zen (chan) is the peculiarly Chinese way of accomplishing the Buddhist goal of seeing the world just as it is, that is, with a mind that has no grasping thoughts or feelings. This attitude is called “no-mind”, a state of consciousness wherein thoughts move without leaving any trace. Zen master Yao-shan, who, when asked “What is the Way (of Zen)?” would answer, “A cloud in the sky and water in the jug!”.

I noticed that Urdu word chaen also means peace and calm. Wondered if I observe chaen (Zen) around me. However, soon realized that , with my exteremly short attention span, it was not an easy task. Other day, my five year old nephew, who is invariably always in motion, when had nothing better to do, started mimicking the pendulum on the clock -- swinging his tiny butt in tick tock movements. First I had to laugh at his cute gesture, later it dawned on me that Zen can be found in observing such everyday little things.

Considered a subjective feeling, it can be found by listening to the sweet voice of Norah Jones, or felt after receiving a head butt by a neurotic but loving cat. It can be found in and around water, or just looking at someone engrossed in doing crossword puzzles. It can be felt after perfecting your golf swing, eating caramel icecream or inventing ‘Ranastura’. Ofcourse it can always be found in prayers and in eating food cooked by your mom.

Above, I mentioned the concept of practising the attitude of “no mind”, in the art of Zen. This was reminded to me by a colorful writing on the back of a truck in Lahore. In Punjabi it said “ Aqal nahi, tay moojan hi moojan! ” , which would rougly translate as “No brains, thus eternal joy !” . This by no means implies that one should stop working, but one might endeavor towards working to live and not other way round.

A cynic might say that looking for such feelings is the luxury of the rich, but trust me, being posh or wealthy is no guarentee to find it. The whole point of looking for Zen is to look for it in everyday small things and to be able to savour it. As it is, life is full of misery sometimes we so successfully construct even more worries in it. If nothing else, then there is always depressing news on television and newspaper, hell bent to shorten our life spans. So I propose to cherish Zen (chaen), when, where and how you find it.