Originally Posted by Peter

Zazen can be called the practice of "just sitting".

As such, it stands in stark contrast to most other types of meditation, which we undertake in order to accomplish some set goal, whether it be learning to relax or attaining enlightenment.

All these other forms of meditation can be considered in some degree mind-based or "mental". For one, we have a mental idea of what it is we would like to accomplish. Furthermore, many of these kinds of meditation require some form of focusing of the attention upon an object. In other words, we are using our minds in some specific, special way.

I'm not suggesting these forms of meditation are ineffective or somehow lessened by their mental component. That is clearly not the case. My point is that zazen is very different from these forms of mental meditation insofar as, when properly practiced, it completely lacks the mental component.

When we sit for zazen, we don't do so for any reason. We merely sit. That is our entire reason for doing it. And in that purposelessness lies its entire power.

Of course, the mind believes it cannot do anything without some reason to do it. The mind is used to being "in the driver's seat". That, indeed, feels to it like its entire reason for being.

But in reality the mind sits like the proverbial tip of the iceberg upon a vast foundation of energies which it likes to call "the body" - as if it is in some way separable from and in charge of that upon which it actually is entirely dependent.

It's the slave calling the master the slave.

When we sit for zazen, we simply sit, allowing the "body" its full expression, free for a time from the mind's incessant and insatiable governance.

We don't "watch the breath". We don't "watch the flow of thoughts". We don't "gain insights into the nature of reality".

We simply sit.

And, believe it or not, that is an extremely powerful - while at the same time very difficult - form of meditation.

Peter
MeditationMojo.com

How is that different than what most people do the world considers lazy? Some sit and do nothing, some sit and watch tv (which is doing nothing), some just stare into space zoned out and not practicing any form of meditation (or are they?). I've seen cats practice this form where they sit, still staring at the wall. They sit for a spell, usually lasting about 5 minutes or so then off they go. If this is the form of Zazen then cats do this very well without any consciousness of what they're doing of course. It is quite difficult to just sit and not have one's mind wander.

It is quite difficult to just sit and not have one's mind wander.

Sounds like you just answered your own question (if it indeed was a question).