Zen is often thought of as just zazen (sitting meditation). It's thought that zen practitioners only sit. Indeed, Shikantaza (just sitting) is the style of Zen we practice at Kanzeonji in Mt. Washington California. But Master Dogen Zenji had told us that the experience of sitting must be experienced in our daily lives. Kinhin helps us do just that. It's a stepping stone from our sitting to our daily lives.

There is a term Gyo(u)ju-Za-Ga (Walking-Sitting-Lying Down). This means that no matter what we are doing we should do it mindfully; in this way we take our mindful sitting to our mindful lives. If we can live mindful lives, perhaps this will also help us live thoughtful lives as well.