Zen master Hakuin prepared for his lecture by sleeping a lot
Summary
- The Zen master Hakuin prepared for his lecture by sleeping, to the point where his students were worried.
Details
- When it came time, he dictated the talk perfectly
- A rested mind produces good work
References
Quotes
How did the Zen master Hakuin prepare for his epic lecture, The Records of Old Sokko? He slept. A lot. He slept so much and so soundly that one of his students said that “his snores reverberated through the house like rumblings of thunder.” It went on for more than a month, with Hakuin waking only to see the occasional visitor. But every other minute was spent facedown, passed out in blissful, restful slumber.
His attendants, who had not yet learned to appreciate the power of sleep, began to worry. The day the talks would be given was rapidly approaching. Was the master ever going to get serious about it? Or was he just going to waste his days asleep? They begged him to start working while there was still time. He simply rolled over and slept some more. Finally, as the deadline loomed large, but without a hint of urgency, Hakuin got up. Sitting, he called to his attendants, and began with perfect clarity to dictate the talk. It was all there. It was brilliant.
It was the product of a rested mind that took care of its body. A healthy soul that could sleep soundly. And it has echoed down through the ages.
If you want peace, there is just one thing to do. If you want to be your best, there is just one thing to do. Go to sleep.