Here’s an article I came upon that I was asked to write back in the 1990s. You may find it interesting.
 
Zen Buddhism is a school of thought based in the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the importance of meditation and direct, experiential wisdom. What evolved into Zen Buddhism originating in China during the Tang dynasty. Initially known as Chan Buddhism, the philosophy fell away throughout the years in China but later came to be heartily embraced and flourished in Japan.
 
Though scholars throughout the centuries have attempted to define Zen Buddhism, Zen defies easy categorization and intellectual analysis. This is due to the fact that at its core, true Zen is focused upon its abstract and paradoxical nature.
 
The abstract nature of Zen is perhaps best embodied in its rejection of conceptual thinking. Zen practitioners frequently assert that True Understanding cannot be captured by words. This ideology may be ideally reflected in the age-old Zen proverb, “The finger pointing at the moon is not the moon.”
 
Meaning, words and concepts are mere tools that may point the practitioner towards the truth but they are not the truth themselves. In fact, the true essence of Zen Buddhism lies beyond the intellectual grasp, requiring practitioners to experience its true essence directly via meditation and mindful living.
 
One of the hallmarks of Zen practice is the use of Koans. The Koan is a paradoxical anecdote or verbal riddle that defy logical reasoning. Koans are designed to break down the habitual patterns of the mind, forcing practitioners into a state of questioning and thus opening the door to a deeper, non-conceptual understanding.
 
Undoubtedly, the most well-known Koan is, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” The basis of this and other Koans is to cause the thinking mind to shift from common and accepted consciousness, while challenging dualistic thinking, possibly causing the contemplator to have a direct encounter with reality.
 
Central to Zen and the broader Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, as a whole, is the concept of emptiness “Śūnyatā.” Śūnyatā or Emptiness in Zen does not denote a physical void or material nothingness, but refers to the absence of inherent, independent existence in all life phenomena.
 
In Zen, it is understood, that everything is interconnected and interdependent, yet lacking a fixed essence. For example, in The Heart Sutra, one of the foundational texts of Zen Buddhism, it states, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” This teaching details the fluid, dynamic nature of reality, encouraging practitioners to see beyond superficial distinctions and embrace the unity of all things.
 
The abstract nature of Zen also manifests in its emphasis on Mindfulness and Presence. Practitioners are encouraged to engage fully with the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future anxieties. This mindfulness practice, is exemplified by the practice of seated meditation, known as Zazen.
 
In Zazen, one sits in silent awareness, observing thoughts and sensations without attachment or aversion. This meditative practice fosters a direct, intimate encounter with the present moment, dissolving the boundaries between the Physical Self, Thought, and Understood Reality.
 
Zen also places great importance on direct transmission of True Understanding from master to disciple. This, “Transmission,” is, often detailed as, “A special transmission outside the scriptures.” This intimate teacher-student relationship is considered essential for attaining the final stage of human consciousness, nirvana.
 
The master, through direct interaction and personal guidance, helps the disciple to break free from conceptual traps and realize their own True Nature, which is Nothingness. This practice explains the emphasis that Zen places on Experiential Wisdom over Theoretical Knowledge.
 
There is a large body of enlightened understanding that is presented via art in Zen Buddhism. Zen aesthetics reflect its abstract principles through simplicity and spontaneity. Zen art, whether it be ink painting, calligraphy, rock gardening, the tea ceremony, or via various other creative pursuits embodies the principles of minimalism and naturalness. For example, these art forms aim to capture the essence of the subject of the art with the fewest possible movements or strokes, reflecting the focus of Zen on the essential and the immediate. The spontaneous brushwork of a Zen painting, for instance, mirrors the spontaneous, uncontrived nature of enlightenment itself.
 
Nature also holds an essential place in Zen. Nature symbolizing the purity and simplicity that Zen practitioners strive to embody.  In the case of the Zen Garden, they are created with their meticulously arranged rocks, sand, and plants, which are essentially designed to evoke a sense of tranquility and harmony, serving as an aid to meditation and reflection.
 
“Kinhin,” or Walking Mediation is one of the primary meditative practices of Zen where the practitioner moves with a very conscious motion, embracing, yet not being controlled by the environment where they find themself. Ideally, if one can perform Kinhin in a calm and peaceful environment, such as a Zen Garden, it is believed that this will allow the mind of the practitioner to remain focused and not be drawn out by the chaos of the material world.
 
Ultimately, Zen is based upon an abstract foundation of altered understanding that causes the mind of the practitioner to move away from the known and the normal and step into a reality beyond common reality.  Activities such as tea ceremonies, martial arts, and even simple tasks like cooking and cleaning are approached with full awareness and a meditative mindset. This practice, known as, “Samu,” transforms ordinary actions into opportunities for mindfulness and insight, blurring the line between meditation and common everyday life.
 
The abstract nature of Zen Buddhism challenges practitioners to move beyond the confines of conceptual thought and intellectual analysis. Through practices such as meditation, koans, and mindful living, Zen encourages a direct, experiential encounter with reality. This journey, marked by paradox, simplicity, and spontaneity, leads to a profound understanding of emptiness and interconnectedness, revealing the true nature of existence.