The gateless gate of Zen – on barriers in our mind
The only barriers to enlightenment are those we place in our own minds
Hey there,
I hope your week was filled with peace.
Today, I want to talk about the concept of barriers in the mind and how they can hinder our journey towards enlightenment.
Perhaps you have a specific image in your mind when you think of "enlightenment."
And that's why you might be thinking that this article is definitely not for you.
Because you're not looking for this far-off, unattainable state. This... thing that these weird people with shaved heads in orange and red robes in temples, or with beards on mountaintops, are seeking.
But is this image about enlightenment in your head true?
Or is it just something you've picked up from popular culture or what others have told you?
What do you actually know (or don't know) about enlightenment?
Don't you think that's a barrier in your mind right there? A barrier that makes you think this article is definitely not for you?
Our preconceived notions and limited understanding of concepts can create barriers that prevent us from truly experiencing and understanding them.
And we are constantly creating barriers for ourselves.
Limiting beliefs, old patterns, and conditioned thoughts that hold us back from experiencing true freedom and inner peace. And what is even more important and amazing: these barriers are not tangible. They just exist in our minds.
We have a natural tendency to categorize and label things.
We need structure and understanding in order to make sense of our world.
But this can also lead to rigid thinking and closed-mindedness.
In Zen philosophy, there is a concept known as the "Gateless Gate." This represents the idea that there is no ultimate barrier or obstacle on the path towards enlightenment.
The only barriers that exist are those that we create ourselves.
We often think of external factors such as societal expectations, family pressure, or financial struggles as barriers to our happiness and fulfillment. But these are just temporary circumstances that do not hold power over us. Unless we allow them to.
The real barriers to our personal growth and enlightenment lie within our minds.
It is through the process of introspection and self-awareness that we can begin to identify and break down these barriers.
It can be a difficult journey. Because we have built these mental barriers over years. Sometimes decades. Breaking them down can take time and effort. It doesn't have to. It's up to us. But it requires us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and face our fears head-on. However, the rewards are immeasurable.
The more we break down these barriers in our minds, the closer we get to experiencing true inner peace and freedom.
So, what if we let go of our preconceived notions of what enlightenment (or any other idea) is and instead focus on breaking down the barriers in our minds?
What if true enlightenment is simply a state of being where we are free from the limiting beliefs and patterns that hold us back?
What if it's not about achieving some grandiose, otherworldly experience, but rather finding inner peace and contentment within ourselves?
As you reflect on the concept of the Gateless Gate, think about how you can actively dismantle the self-imposed barriers that prevent your growth.
Maybe it's releasing the need to label and define everything around you.
Maybe it's letting go of societal expectations and embracing your own values and beliefs.
Maybe it's simply taking a moment each day to sit in stillness, observing the thoughts that arise without judgment or attachment.
Whatever steps you take toward breaking down these barriers, remember that the journey to enlightenment is uniquely yours. A personal path of discovery where the only limits are the ones you've chosen to create—or remove.
As Zen master Huang Po once said, "If you would only rid yourselves of the concepts of ordinary and enlightened, you would find that there is no other Buddha than the Buddha in your own mind."
Weekly Reflection
What is one small barrier in your mind that you can break down right now?
🍵 Thank you for reading!
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you! I hope they bring you a moment of reflection and a touch of peace.
Until next time, stay limitless.
– Zhenya
P.S. If you're new here, it's nice to meet you! I invite you to check out the past editions. 😊