Questions to Master Deshimaru

Question

What should people do in their everyday lives?

Answer

Work, go to the toilet; eat; whatever you like! If you practice zazen regularly you get into the habit of it; as far as I personally am concerned, for example, my brain works the same way in everyday life as it does during zazen. Zazen early in the morning influences the rest of your day and you learn to react to everything that happens with the same steady frame of mind. When people leave the dojo after morning zazen they are calm, and this carries over into their life outside; their minds are clear, tranquil, not at all tired . . . it's very effective. That's one reason why people like to practice. It's not good to have your head hanging down all the time; so remember to stretch your neck and pull in your chin. Everybody nowadays has their head hanging down or sticking out in front of them. The neck should be pulled up all the way along, so that the brain can be irrigated by the blood and become clear.