This Wednesday evening October 14 we will continue our reading and discussion of
Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind. The chapter for discussion will be “Readiness, Mindfulness”.

Here are some questions to consider as you read this chapter:

1. “After we realize the emptiness of things, everything becomes real, not substantial.”
What is meant by real as opposed to substantial?

2. “To realize the truth is to live–to exist here and now.”
How does this differ from the concept of truth we absorbed from our family cultures?

3. “You cannot practice true zazen, because YOU practice it…..This “no mind” is Zen mind,
which includes everything.”
If as this paragraph says, there is no particular practice, how do we realize this Zen mind?

4. “So the point is to be ready for observing things, and to be ready for thinking. This is
called emptiness of your mind. Emptiness is nothing but the practice of zazen.”
How is this concept of mindfulness–emptiness and readiness–different from commonly
accepted meanings?

If you have your own copy of the book, please bring it. There will be photocopies available for
those who need them. Also, a printable PDF version can be found at:
www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/zenmind.pdf
and this chapter is on pages 114 & 115 of that document.