Haruka: I know you love Zen, the concept of Zen.

When did you

start learning it?

Mark: I started learning about Zen philosophy when I was in

college

Haruka: In college?

Mark: Yeah. Zen's not really a religion, but I've studied it in a

religion class. It comes from Buddhism originally.

Haruka: Was it a Japanese teacher?

Mark: No, but it was an Asian studies teacher. So he was an

expert in Asian religions.

Haruka: And what was the concept of Zen by that teacher?

Mark: Well, it's difficult to explain, but Zen is basically about

appreciating the little moments in life and being in the present
moment. A lot of times we think about the future or we spend a lot
of time thinking about the past. Zen is mostly about trying to be in
the right now.

Haruka Sounds like mindfulness.

Mark: It's very close to that. Mindfulness is discussed a lot in Zen

philosophy.
Haruka : So, is there a way to be good at Zen or, what I can do to-

Mark: I think I understand your question. There is no good or bad

about it. It's really like, do you like taking a walk in nature
sometime?

Haruka: I love it.

Mark: Yeah, me too. And I think that in essence is Zen is just

appreciating the beauty in nature or the wind on your face, or, the
sound of the birds and the trees. It sounds a little corny, but
appreciating that moment in time, that's basically Zen.

Haruka: So if I'm enjoying this conversation right now, that means

I am in Zen?

Mark: Sure. In essence, if you're in this moment, as we speak,

that's a form of Zen appreciation.

Haruka: Is it possible that I will be in Zen all the time, if I'm able to
enjoy every moment of my life?

Mark: That's a great question. I think it's sort of impossible to

constantly be present. It's a good goal to aim for, but it's sort of
like an unattainable goal, like a goal that you can't ever get to
because your mind is at some point going to think about tomorrow
or remember something from the past.
Haruka: How much of a day do you think you are in the Zen
moment?

Mark: I've never calculated it like that. I don't know, because I

catch myself all the time thinking too much about the future or
reliving a memory for too long. And then when I catch myself, I
bring my focus back to what I'm doing at the present moment.

Haruka : Mm. Sometimes I focus so much and I feel like I'm in the
zone, but it's different from Zen?

Mark: Well, I don't really want to define it because that's the

paradox or the confusing thing about Zen, the more and more you
try to define it, really, the further away you get from it. It's not
something that there are like rules that are written down and you
follow these rules. It's really more about just being, just being
alive and acknowledging that, appreciating that.

Haruka: Maybe we can both go to the Zen garden and see how it
works.

Mark: That's good. I would love to talk to a Zen monk or

something.

Listen Mark talk about Zen on the Zensammich Podcast: