From Sogen
One of the characteristics of the Zen arts is simplicity. A few brush strokes of black ink on white paper. Three brief lines of haiku. A few items in a tea ceremony. All so simply done, with nothing extra added. Simplicity is also a characteristic of our practice: simply sitting, simply walking, simply eating, simply working. Nothing extra. Yet how often we add quite a lot extra in our daily life. What a gift it is to ourselves and those around us to aim for greater simplicity, to have more time, more breathing space. To see one activity that doesn’t really need to be done. To see one thing that doesn’t really need to be bought. To see one possession that is no longer needed and can be given away. To see one thought or belief that doesn’t serve the practice life, and let it go. Practicing such awareness, making such choices, life can gradually become simpler, more open and at ease.