SIMPLE
ZEN
A Guide to Living Moment by Moment
SIMPLE
ZEN
A Guide to Living Moment by Moment
C. Alexander Simpkins Ph.D. • Annellen Simpkins Ph.D.
TUTTLE PUBLISHING
Boston • Rutland, Vermont • Tokyo
First published in I999 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A.
Copyright © 1999 C. Alexander Simpkins and Annellen Simpkins
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from Tuttle Publishing.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS BOOK.
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Printed in the United States of America
We dedicate this book to our parents, Carmen and
Nathaniel Simpkins and Naomi and Herbert Minkin,
and to our children, Alura L. Simpkins and C. Alexander Simpkins Jr., and to all the
dedicated Zen masters whose lives and actions help communicate Zen to us today.
Carmen Z. Simpkins’ abstract expressionist paintings
suggest mood, movement, and mysticism. Simpkins has
been painting for 15 years. Her first solo show took place in Camden, Maine, in
1962 at the Broadlawn Gallery.
She has exhibited throughout the world, and her works are in private collections in
Europe and America. She
continues to paint at her studio-gallery in
Sebastian, Florida.
CONTENTS
2: Early Zen in China and Korea
5: Beyond Words and Objects to Self-Awakening
6: Emptiness: Not Even Nothing Exists
7: Ethics Are Expressed in Correct Living
8: Enlightenment Is Wisdom’s Fulfillment
10: Entering Zen Through the Arts
11: Ikebana: Sensitivity to the Flower Nature
12: Cha-no-yu:TheTeaWay to Overcome Stress
13: Poetic Voice, Enlightened Expression
14: Sumi-e:The Stroke of Awareness
15: Martial Arts: Finding Inner Power
16: Psychotherapy: Beyond the Void
INTRODUCTION
Zen Buddhism is a dynamic way to enhance living. Modern life demands our full attention, and there is often little time for anything else. The beauty of Zen is that it can help develop inner calm and better functioning even in the midst of a busy life. You do not have to make time for Zen—your Zen is with you all the time, enriching everything you do.
Zen points you back to your inner life, illuminating your true nature. As you become more adept at Zen meditation, it becomes integrated into your life, both at work and at play. “Not two!” the Zen masters would shout.
When we discovered Zen we were both graduate students, studying psychology and practicing martial arts. We delved deeply into the works of Suzuki, Dogen, Benoit, Watts, and other writers on Zen. We spent several years training our awareness in classes in New York City with Betty Keene and Charlotte Selver who conducted classes at the San Francisco