Obsessions and compulsions, we all have them. Does Buddhism help or hurt those trying to learn how to live life without being controlled by their obsessions and compulsions? Zen Buddhism can be a very orderly and defined practice. Zen Buddhism is often regimented, or at least many practitioners and teachers do. Our discussion today is whether Zen Buddhism supports recovery of obsessions and compulsions or the actual obsessions and compulsions themselves. Obsession and compulsions in Zen Buddhism have a unique relationship, so let’s explore it together.
We All Have Some – Obsessions and Compulsions: Zen Buddhism
Whether it be cleaning counters, filing papers, stacking dishes, or washing our hands repeatedly, we all have obsessions and compulsions. Many people turn to the practice of Zen Buddhism to learn how to manage their obsessions and compulsions. Zen Buddhism attracts people with obsessions and compulsions because it offers a very specific system of practicing meditation. This makes sense. One of the reasons I began my meditation journey 35 years ago was to address this exact issue. My obsessions and compulsions controlled my life. I desperately needed to change the way my mind organized and processed life. At the core of addiction, obsessions and compulsions can rule an addict’s mind and behavior. Who wants to be controlled by their obsessions and compulsions? This is what attracted me to meditation. I wanted relief from my obsessions and compulsions.
Jack Nicholson – Obsessions and Compulsions: Zen Buddhism
Teachers – Obsessions and Compulsions: Zen Buddhism
If you have ever had the opportunity to practice Zen Buddhism, regardless of which school, there is typically a specific meditation system. This is my experience with Zen Buddhism throughout East Asia – Japan, China, and Korea. It is funny, in retrospect, to see my impression of Zen Buddhism before I actually received any training. Zen Buddhism was more like free-spirited hippies than practitioners sitting and staring at walls for long periods of time without movement or sound. Zen teachers instruct students on the correct form, beginning their meditation training. At the time, I was first beginning to learn and practice meditation. Meditation centers and teachers were not as accessible as they are today. Initially, I learned from books and audio tapes.
A couple of years later, I had the opportunity to receive training from Khen Rinpoche Geshe Kachen Lobzang Tsetan, a Tibetan monk and teacher. He is the Abbot of Dalai Lama‘s Temple in India. When he and other monks and teachers at the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Washington, New Jersey, instructed beginners like me in meditation, they offered clear insight into the correct methods. These teachers allowed new students time and space to become comfortable with the practice at their own pace. Compassion was clearer than correction. Please do not misunderstand what I’m trying to communicate. I am not saying that Tibetan Buddhism is better than Zen Buddhism or any other system of meditation. I am just offering a contrast between the styles of teaching beginner’s meditation.
My meditation practice today is a combination of many systems and forms, including QiGong, Reiki, Buddhist, Quaker, Catholic, Sufi, Kabbalah, and Taoist. I am sure some new-age teachings have found their way into my practice as well. This list is not inclusive. There are many styles and forms that I have learned by practicing with others and by intuitively following my Inner Teacher. My experience demonstrates that consistent meditation practice creates space for our Inner Teacher. We can read all the books, watch all the videos and take part in as many workshops as we want, eventually, we have to sit and practice to allow our Inner Teacher to be our primary source of instruction for meditation and life. I sense this is essential. In observing and practicing with others who have not allowed their belly or Inner Teacher to train them in meditation and life, they stay stuck in their system, and their obsessions and compulsions seem to get louder, not softer. This is not true for everyone. I am speaking about those who believe that applying their obsessions and compulsions to their spiritual practice will magically make their obsessions and compulsions disappear.
Spiritual Discipline vs. Self-Discipline
My teacher speaks about the difference between spiritual discipline and self-discipline. Spiritual discipline is listening to our belly and doing what needs to be done when we need to do it. Self-discipline is listening to our intellect, emotions, or ego telling us what to do. An example of self-discipline would be someone who meditates every morning at 7:30, no matter what’s happening, what they need, or what their life situation calls for. Spiritual discipline is listening to your belly or Inner Teacher, is now the right time to meditate, if not, when is the right time and what do I need to do right now at this moment.
Self-discipline is easier than spiritual discipline, but it does not offer the same spiritual and mental growth or development. I sense this is where many people get stuck in their obsessions and compulsions, rather than developing a more balanced way of interacting with the world. Simply put, if your obsessions and compulsions are in charge of your meditation and spiritual practices, how can you let go of them? Or, as my teacher often asks, “Who’s in charge here?”
As someone who lives, practices, and is the director of a Zen Buddhist Temple, I think it might seem like a contradiction. This is not true. Zen Buddhism offers all the tools necessary to create a balanced, healthy life. I have met and practiced with many incredible Zen Buddhist practitioners! Zen Buddhism is not the problem, just like Catholicism or Islam are not the problem. The problem is and always has been us; we are the problem. As long as we are relying on control, obsessions, and compulsions to dictate our thoughts, emotions, and actions, we will suffer. Those around us will suffer. Our environment will suffer.
Suppose you are having a hard time identifying how obsessions and compulsions run your life. I invite you to turn off your headphones and screens when you are at the gym working out. I encourage you to see those around you exercising. Notice those who are tight and seem desperate on the stairmaster or elliptical machine. Observe who gets a fresh cleaning cloth after every exercise machine they use, rather than using the same cloth to clean several machines while it’s still wet. Watch the rituals of beginning and ending exercise. Do you see anything alive and creative? Intuitive or spontaneous? Healthy? Is anything in charge besides their obsessions and compulsions about the way they want to look or feel?
I recently began taking a QiGong class at Way Of The Dragon in East Providence with Master Wu. He is an amazing Teacher and an excellent class. I appreciate his ability to make it feel like you can succeed at practicing QiGong regardless of your experience or anything else. He does not create an environment where students feel bad about not being able to replicate the exercises. Master Wu reminds us, “Just relax, no worries.” or “You can do this. No problem”. When giving the class homework practice, he keeps it very simple and clear, so it only takes five minutes a day. He knows those who want to go deeper with the practice will merge exercises from earlier classes. Those who want a taste of QiGong can commit to five minutes a day. He has not once corrected any student in the class for not executing an exercise properly.
Master Wu does not stare at anyone who is not giving 100%. It is an environment that supports learning and the integration of QiGong into your life. I am grateful to be a student in Master Wu’s QiGong class and to have had the opportunity to improve my teaching skills through his model.
I am interested in hearing about your experiences with obsessions and compulsions in Zen Buddhism. Have you met a controlling meditation teacher who destroyed your motivation to learn or practice meditation or Zen?
Other posts you may enjoy:
Spiritual Change: Tie Your Shoes Different
Spiritual Training on Humility: The Janitor Part I
10 Signs You’ve Found Your Calling | Wake Up World
The Difference Between Being Present and Self-Absorbed
Michael Swerdloff
Providence Holistic Counselor, Coach and Reiki