Question
When I walk, I am always aware of my steps.
I feel my body when talking with people or doing an
activity. In this way I practice “full presence” throughout the day.
This should calm compulsive thinking and therefore make me more serene.
Despite appearances, I must say I rarely am.
Instead, I sometimes feel I lose a certain spontaneity with
people, and sometimes I feel alienated and, ironically, more
critical than ever!
If you answer this question, I can smell a koan or a simple,
concise answer from a mile away!
All that is very nice, but I simply want to know whether you truly believe
that bringing awareness into the body throughout the day,
365 days a year, really frees us from compulsive thought, the kind that
hurts us so much!?
Thank you.
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
Be aware of the happiness of being alive, aware of the freedom of being conscious—that is, immortal.
Kosen