The Open Doors of the Mind: Shunryu Suzuki’s Tea Philosophy
Shunryu Suzuki, a renowned Zen master, once stated, “Leave your front door and your back door open. Let thoughts come and go. Just don’t serve them tea” (Suzuki, 1970). This profound expression encapsulates the essence of Zen Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of mental flexibility and non-attachment. Our minds, according to Suzuki, should be like an open house, with thoughts flowing freely in and out without clinging or resistance.
In Suzuki’s analogy, the act of serving tea represents the attachment and undue attention we often give to our thoughts (Suzuki, 1970). In meditation, as in life, it is easy to become entangled in our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. We often serve them tea, treating them as important guests deserving of our full attention and care. Suzuki’s admonishment is a reminder to resist this tendency, to allow thoughts to visit but not to dwell.
However, Suzuki’s counsel is not an invitation to apathy or disengagement. Instead, it’s a call to cultivate a mindful and discerning approach to our mental processes. The doors are open, but the host (the self) remains present, aware, but detached. This equanimity allows for clarity and understanding to emerge, untainted by the distortions of attachment and resistance (Hanh, 1999).
The Shadowed Mind: Insights from Ram Dass’s Tree Metaphor
“We’re sitting under the tree of our thinking minds, wondering why we’re not getting any sunshine!” said Ram Dass, an American spiritual teacher and psychologist. This metaphor encapsulates the human condition of overthinking and the self-imposed isolation that it often brings (Dass, 2000). The tree of our thinking mind casts a shadow that obscures the light of awareness and true understanding.
Overthinking is akin to sitting under a dense tree, under the thick foliage of our thoughts. We become so engrossed in our cognitive patterns that we fail to see the broader perspective (Dass, 2000). Our over-reliance on the analytical mind obstructs the direct experience of reality, much like the leaves of a tree blocking the sun. The incessant mental chatter creates a screen, obscuring our view of the world as it truly is.
Yet, the solution is not to cut down the tree, but to realize that we are not confined to its shade. We have the capacity to step out from under its canopy and experience the full brightness of direct awareness. Ram Dass suggests a shift in perspective – from identification with the thinking mind to a broader consciousness that perceives thoughts as merely one aspect of experience (Dass, 2000). This shift heralds a transition from shadow to sunlight, from ignorance to wisdom.
The Intersection of Suzuki and Dass: Unattached Awareness
In analyzing the teachings of Suzuki and Dass, one finds a profound intersection: the emphasis on non-attachment and heightened awareness. While their metaphors differ, the core message remains consistent – the necessity of cultivating a detached yet fully present relationship with our thoughts (Suzuki, 1970; Dass, 2000).
Both teachers propose that we often grant undue significance to our thoughts, hindering our experience of reality. Our mental preoccupations and attachments can create a distorted lens through which we perceive the world. This attachment to thought, whether through serving tea or sitting under a tree’s shadow, results in a fragmented and obscured understanding of reality.
To shift from this fragmented view to a holistic perspective, both teachers advocate for a practice of non-attachment and mindfulness. Through the practice of observing our thoughts without clinging, we create the opportunity to experience life more fully and authentically. This shift is akin to leaving the doors of our minds open or stepping out from under the tree’s shade into the sunlight.
From Metaphor to Practice: The Path to Unattached Awareness
Metaphors, such as those shared by Suzuki and Dass, offer insightful guidance, but their true value lies in their practical application. To truly integrate these teachings, one must develop a consistent practice of mindful non-attachment, which can be cultivated through various forms of meditation (Kabat-Zinn, 1994).
Meditation encourages the observation of thoughts without judgment or attachment, mirroring Suzuki’s metaphor of the open doors. It also echoes Dass’s encouragement to step out from under the tree of our thinking minds, as it fosters an awareness that goes beyond the cognitive process.
Lastly, it is essential to remember that the practice of non-attachment does not imply indifference or disengagement. Instead, it means engaging fully with our experiences without clinging to them or being blinded by our thoughts and perceptions. It’s about living in the sunlight of direct awareness, while understanding that thoughts, like guests or shadows, come and go.
References
Dass, R. (2000). Still here: Embracing aging, changing, and dying. Riverhead Books.
Hanh, T. N. (1999). The heart of the Buddha’s teaching: Transforming suffering into peace, joy, and liberation. Broadway Books.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hyperion.
Suzuki, S. (1970). Zen mind, beginner’s mind: Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice. Weatherhill.
