In the practice of zazen, the sitting meditation typical of Soto Zen Buddhism, one of the most important concepts is hishiryo (non-thinking), which can be translated as “beyond thought and non-thought”. Introduced by Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto Zen school, This term encapsulates the inner experience that practitioners cultivate during zazen. Prima facie, hishiryo may seem paradoxical: how is it possible to think without thinking? What does it really mean to go beyond thought and non-thought?? To understand this concept, It is necessary to delve into Dogen's teachings and explore how hishiryo describes a quality of mind that transcends the usual categories of thought and non-thought..
In Zen meditation, hishiryo is a holistic experience that reflects our authentic original nature and reality as it is. The concept is deeply linked to the understanding that, in the Buddhadharma, the mind is not perceived as something separate from experience, but as a manifestation of the interdependence of all phenomena. This makes hishiryo a crucial part of the realization of emptiness or sunyata, as described in the Mahayana tradition.
Before delving into hishiryo, It is important to remember Dogen's vision of sitting meditation., zazen. Para Dogen, zazen It is not a means to an end., like enlightenment or awakening. In his work Fukan Zazengi, Dogen emphasizes that zazen It is the direct expression of the Buddha nature that is innate. Practice is not a way to achieve something in the future, but the manifestation of realization in the present itself. So, in zazen, we just sit, not to get something, but as a complete expression of the truth of our existence.
This view does not contradict, but complements other Buddhist traditions that view meditation as a means to achieve a specific goal or state of realization. For example, in the Theravada tradition, especially in the context of vipassana, meditation focuses on developing clear vision (insight) which helps to eradicate mental impurities and achieve nirvana. This approach can be seen as an important step in the process of cultivating mindfulness and deep understanding of the nature of the mind.. And el Zen the Doges, although a particular state is not sought, but it is practiced to be fully present with what is, The clarity gained in practices such as vipassana can serve as a solid foundation for deepening the experience of zazen.
Within this understanding of zazen, hishiryo plays a fundamental role. during meditation, our mind should not be occupied by ordinary thoughts nor should we try to eliminate thoughts that arise. Instead of that, We practice a type of care that transcends the usual conceptualization. This is shikantaza, “just sit”, where the practitioner does not concentrate on any meditation object or controlling thoughts, but is simply present with what arises.
Our usual everyday state of mind is what Dogen calls shiryo (consider), or discursive thought. This is the process by which our mind classifies, analyze and judge experiences and thoughts. In everyday life, this type of thinking is useful and necessary. However, in zazen, The objective is not to continue with this process of mental discrimination, nor suppress the thoughts that arise. This is where hishiryo comes into play..
Dogen mentions hishiryo in Fukan Zazengi when he says:
"Think, not in thinking. How do you think about not thinking? Think beyond thought. This is the art of zazen.”
This passage describes the essence of hishiryo. It is not about eliminating thoughts or trying to have a completely empty mind., but to allow the mind to remain in a state that is not trapped in the usual discursive process, not even in the effort of not thinking. Instead of fighting the thoughts or letting them drag us down, we just let them go without getting involved in them. It's like the sky and the clouds: Thoughts are like clouds that cross the sky of the mind. Heaven does not try to retain them or expel them, just let them pass, remaining immutable and vast. Likewise, in hishiryo, Thoughts can arise and disappear without our mind getting caught up in them., staying open and effortless.
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This state transcends the dualism between thought and non-thought., allowing us to experience reality without clinging to the concepts or judgments we normally use. When practicing zazen from the state of hishiryo, we are not seeking to achieve a goal or a state of enlightenment in the future, but rather we are manifesting our Buddha nature here and now.
The notion of hishiryo also challenges our usual notions of what it means to think., be aware or act. Instead of keeping a mind rigidly focused or trying to control our thoughts, we must trust the inherent nature of the mind itself, allowing everything to be as it is. This type of practice, although difficult to understand from an intellectual perspective, It is a direct way of experiencing the fundamental unity between ourselves and the world around us, which arises naturally from the correct practice of zazen.
Dogen invites us to sit in this state, which is both beyond thought and non-thought and, however, totally immersed in the here and now. It is a teaching that, although deep, offers a way to transform our relationship with the world, not only during zazen, but in every aspect of daily life.
