Calmness of Mind

Shikantza our zazen, is just to be ourselves.  When we do not expect anything we can be ourselves.  This is our way, to live fully in each moment of time. This practice continues forever

We say, "each moment," but in your actual practice a "moment" is too long because in that "moment" your mind is already involved in following the breath.  So we say, "Even in a snap of your fingers there are millions of instants of time."  This way we can emphasize the feeling of existing in each instant of time.  Then your mind is very quiet.

So for a period of time each day, try to sit in shikantza, without moving, without expecting anything, as if you were in your last moment.  Moment after moment you feel your last instant.  In each inhalation and each exhalation there are countless instants of time.  Your intention is to live in each instant,....

...So we have enjoyment, we are free.  We feel free to express ourselves because we are ready to fade into emptiness.  When we are trying to be active and special and to accomplish something, we cannot express ourselves.  Small self will be expressed, but big self will not appear from the emptiness.  From the emptiness only great self appears.  This is shikantaza, okay?  It is not so difficult if you really try.
      Thank you very much.

- Suzuki Roshi
"Calmness of Mind"
Not Always So