by Parmjit Singh, PhD


Whenever we run into difficulties or our conventional way of thinking does not give us expected solutions, we tend to think harder. However, we hardly ever get solutions or insights. On the contrary, we end up messing up things even more. And this happens because of the way our brain and thinking process works—it works on the basis of available information in relation to our conditioning and tendencies. Therefore, even if we try hard to think better, we end up thinking about the same things may be in different nuances. Hence, our problems remain and sometimes even get worse.

There is another approach to solving problems— the Zen way, the natural way. Though it may not be a panacea for all the ills that afflict us, nonetheless, it promises to afford insights that the conventional rational thinking cannot even imagine. It advises us to just sit; do not do anything, just sit. Whenever you are in the midst of emotional storms or bad circumstances, watch yourself. Become a witness, do not try to change anything. Let everything remain as it is—no willful control of emotions, anger, bad thinking or bad decisions.

Just by sitting silently the layers of our unnecessary mind starts to peel off and when all the conditioning has gone out of the mind, then we are left with our original face/self, the pure potential and that is the first time we are able to think properly.