Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘People learning the way should first empty and quiet their minds.

This is because the mind must be empty and quiet before it can mystically understand the subtle principle. If the mind is not emptied, it is like a pitcher full of donkey milk – how can you also fill it with lion milk? If the mind is not quiet, it is like a lamp in the wind, or like turbulent water – how can it reflect myriad forms?

Therefore learners should first stop cogitation and minimize objects of attention, making the mind empty and quiet. After that you have a basis for attaining the way. As Te-shan said, “Just have no mind on things and no things in your mind, and you will naturally be empty and spiritual, tranquil and sublime.”

Nevertheless, you should not settle in empty quietude, sitting relaxed and untrammeled in nothingness. You must be truly attentive, investigating diligently, before you can break through the barrier of illusion and accomplish the great task. People’s forces of habit, accumulated since beginningless time, are deep-seated, if you want to uproot them today, it will not be easy. You need to have a firm will constantly spurring you on. Strive to make progress in the work, without thinking about how much time it may take. When you have practiced for a long time, you will naturally become peaceful and whole. Why seek any other particular method?’ (quoted in Classics of Buddhism and Zen)

I thought this passage was helpful in unpacking what it means when teachers say “Empty your mind.” For anyone who stops at the first line, throws up their hands, and says “I can’t stop thinking, how am I supposed to empty my mind?” the answer follows: “stop cogitation and minimize objects of attention.” The cogitation is the chain of thinking that follows the initial arising of thought, and if we grasp the objects of our attention and start down the chain of thinking, we automatically drift away from the present moment. Thought arises, thought falls away; new thought arises, new thought falls away – how about that for an empty mind?