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Every Day is a Fine Day

A Zen Take on Problems

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Handbook of Zen, Mindfulness, and Behavioral Health

Part of the book series: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health ((MIBH))

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Abstract

In this essay, Sayama uses sword fighting as a metaphor for life and suggests that the Immovable Mind is a key to both. The Immovable Mind is the mind that does not move because it does not stop, whether on an opponent’s sword or problems in life. It flows, fully present moment by moment, according to changes gracefully. The mind stops because of attachments. When the mind stops, there is affective disturbance and suffering. Attachments may be at the emotional, neurotic, or karmic level. Under their influence, we create our personal reality and the delusions which cause us suffering. The Immovable Mind must also be the Immovable Body, and the psychophysical training of Chozen-ji, emphasizing breath, posture, and energy, is presented as a practical method of realizing the state of being in which every day is a fine day.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chozen-ji, International Zen Dojo, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Mike K. Sayama

Authors
  1. Mike K. Sayama
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Correspondence to Mike K. Sayama .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

    Akihiko Masuda

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA

    William T. O'Donohue

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Sayama, M.K. (2017). Every Day is a Fine Day. In: Masuda, A., O'Donohue, W. (eds) Handbook of Zen, Mindfulness, and Behavioral Health. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54595-0_11

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