In the Zen tradition there are a few basic principles which make up the foundation of Zen. The first principle is that all human beings suffer. Now in our culture, we hold suffering as deep physical or psychological pain, but that is not what is meant. If you translate "suffer" into our culture, suffer would mean disappointment. Humans in our culture are constantly disappointed.
We're disappointed in our relationships. We're disappointed in our profession. We're disappointed in our financial status. We're disappointed in the stock market. We're disappointed in staff performance. We're disappointed in how the government runs the country. We're disappointed in our weight or in the way we look. We are, simply, in a frequent state of disappointment. Sure, we have moments of not being disappointed, moments of happiness and satisfaction, but how long do they really last?
Our daily lives are filled with disappointment. This disappointment incites us to act in the ways we do. We diet, not to get healthy, but to look good. We cover our grey hair to look younger. We push hard to make more money so we can have more things. We are driven to act in ways we hope will resolve our disappointment, but the outcomes from these actions are never long lasting and disappointment soon returns.
What causes this constant disappointment? The Zen view is our disappointment is caused by our ever-present, all consuming mind. For most, the mind is all there is, constantly chattering away, unexamined in what is says. When all there is is your mind, you only have one domain of consciousness available to you. You are captured, stuck, caught in this consciousness. You are wholly identified with this consciousness. When this is the only consciousness you have, like water to the fish, air to the bird, you are unaware that another consciousness is available.
The world you see is a manifestation of this consciousness. It determines how you act and behave to yourself with others and in the world. It is this consciousness that is the root of all suffering (disappointment).
The main function of the mind is to give you an identity. In order to perform this function it must keep you separate from everyone and everything else. It thinks in a way that gives you 'you.' I am here. You are there. I am separate, distinct from others, the world, the heavens, God. This is your already, always consciousness - separate from everything and everyone else.
In the Zen tradition there is another domain of consciousness. The other domain available and accessible is the consciousness in Zen called spiritual consciousness. In this consciousness, the mind, although active, does not dominate. The Zen path is to access this other consciousness because inside this consciousness, you are not an "I," you are not separate, you are not a disconnected part from everything and everyone. And in this consciousness things and people are all right the way they are and, therefore, there is no disappointment.
