Questions to Master Deshimaru

Question

You say that paying attention to posture and breathing is satori. Can't a person concentrate the same way in everyday life?

Answer

When you are paying attention to your everyday concerns, yes, you can remain concentrated. It's the same as zazen, whether you're going to the toilet or eating or working. If you're used to concentrating during zazen you can achieve the same concentrated mind in all your actions, unconsciously, naturally, automatically. In the beginning, of course, you need to use your will, but it is not easy to achieve concentration by willpower alone: you have to keep thinking about it all the time. If you practice zazen you form the habit of being concentrated, and you can be concentrated whatever the subject or activity. And if you keep on practicing you will concentrate without having to use any willpower at all.