6 teachings from Japanese Zen Buddhist philosophy

An essential teaching of Muga from Zen refers to non-attachment in simple terms. It promotes and signifies the importance of letting go of desires, expectations, and getting attached to outcomes. It is important and even beneficial to let go of these things as it frees us from a lot of unnecessary stress and disappointments that we set ourselves up for by attaching to the outcome. Instead of constantly wanting things to be different, we learn to accept and appreciate things as they are. This doesn't mean we stop caring or trying, but we learn to act without being overly attached to the results. By practicing non-attachment, we become more flexible, resilient, and open to whatever life brings our way.

Another significant Zen teaching, Jijuyu zanmai, emphasizes the importance of learning through practical, real-life experiences rather than simply relying on books, following the crowd, or blindly accepting what others say. When we directly experience something, we truly understand it deeply. Instead of just thinking about things, we should actively engage with them. This not only satisfies our curiosity but also allows us to explore a variety of experiences, helping us gain a better understanding of what's right and wrong for us, guiding us on the right path in life.

An important Zen teaching of Sunyata emphasizes that emptiness is not a void but rather an opportunity, openness, and limitless possibility. It's like an empty box waiting to be filled with anything you choose, or a blank canvas ready to be painted with your colours. Emptiness doesn't mean there's nothing there, it's a space full of potential, where you can create and shape whatever you dream of and genuinely work towards.

Zen teaches us that enlightenment is an everyday process and not something fancy or difficult to achieve. You can experience enlightenment in each little and big process and daily activity. By truly being present and fully engaged in each moment, you can discover a kind of enlightenment. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and deeply observing, not taking things and little experiences for granted. By doing so, you can become enlightened about the beauty and wonder that have always been around you. This teaching signifies that enlightenment is not something rare to find; it is present in the common, ordinary moments of your day-to-day life.

Mokuso, another essential Zen teaching, emphasizes the immense value of silence. Taking silence as a means of calming the mind, finding peace, and deepening awareness in the present moment, one can release all thoughts. Through silent meditation practice, you can achieve inner peace and gain greater insights. By embracing silence, we open ourselves to the opportunity to connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us.

Zen teaches us the concept of wu wei, which simply means effortless effort. This teaching emphasizes the idea of being spontaneous and acting without unnecessary struggle or overthinking. By letting go of extra effort and allowing ourselves to go with the flow, we can take action naturally and allow things to unfold on their own. This giving up of control helps us find harmony and a sense of ease in life.