zen for the 21st century

The essence of zen as I see it, is to realize your position in space and time.  This is not the same as understanding your position in space and time.  Realization goes beyond understanding.  And realization is not predicated on ones intellectual capacity.  We are all here.  Now.  In the present.  It doesn’t take a genius to realize that fact.  What is necessary though, is an understanding of how the “self” gets in the way of ones ability to attain this realization.

Today, neuroscience and computer science’s work with artificial intelligence provides scientific evidence to support the zen notion that the “self” – what one might perceive as the mind – is a creation of the brain.  The idea of “self” is a human trait which has evolved over the eons to help humans survive in the world.

In some zen forums using neuroscience to explain the “self” would be considered heresy, for zen has its roots and traditions in eastern culture.  But in the 21st century, shaved heads and zen meditation robes have little relevance in a quest for spirituality; instead, it’s just staring at the pointing finger.