Do I need to confess my Zen?

According to Wikipedia, "Zen" is the romanized translation of the Japanese pronunciation of a Chinese transliteration of a Sanskrit word. Zen the practice is a form of meditation that focuses on breathing, impurities of the body, lovingkindness, the "twelve links of pratityasamutpada," and Buddha. Or, sometimes, "nondual objectless meditation" during which one thinks about everything at the same time without wanting to do anything about it. Or concentrating on one phrase, either individually chosen or, sometimes, from poetry, where one answers questions that have no right or wrong answer unless the teacher says you're wrong. Or, practicing a martial art, like kung fu. Or having a tea ceremony. Or tending a rock garden. Or something more esoteric.

I think the purpose of all this is to reveal the true nature of one's mind in relation to the Great Consciousness.

If all this is true—if Zen can lead a person into understanding their own mind, realizing the universe, and being one with the Great Consciousness that includes all things, it would only be right for that person to confess. Because if there's anything we need right now, it's the understanding of what, in the name of little pink teacups, is going on. Politics, quarantine, global pandemic, forest fires, 100-megaton underwater nuclear doomsday devices! It's like the plots of every disaster movie descended on us in one giant rain bomb.

So, if there's someone out there reading this who has reached the Great Consciousness of the universe and knows what's going on and how to stop it, it's on you to confess your Zen and get to work.

Of course, that's not really the answer. There is no "Great Consciousness" that encompasses all. There is God, the Creator of the universe. And there is no meditative formula, like concentrating for hours on a single flower petal, that can purify our minds and reconcile us to the universe. But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and Jesus' sacrifice will reconcile us to Him.

Knowing God and finding peace in Him is a lot more useful and comforting than becoming one with a fallen cosmos. Plus, it's easier on your knees.

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