small ensos

Just this one circle
can change your mind

Early each morning after I sit on my cushion I create a small Enso. Often a theme emerges and I share this on the same paper near the Enso.

An Enso is a partial or complete circle. It is used as a meditative practice to settle the mind.

Drawing an Enso is training the mind. Each Enso is first drawn in the air slowly, purposefully and with attention. Then placing the brush in ink the Zen practitioner draws the invisible into the visible.

It is taught that contemplating the Enso is observing the mind.

Which Enso resonates with you? What do you see? What are you experiencing in your body? What stories do you tell yourself about this Enso? Is it similar to a story you tell about yourself?

For the observer the Enso takes on many symbols once it is made visible. Mysterious. Complete. Incomplete. Impermanent. Solid. All-knowing. Broken. Enlightened.

Round a perfect like vast space
Nothing lacking, nothing in excess.
Hsin-hsin Ming

May these Ensos remind you to jump into the circle of life wholeheartedly.

Click on a thumbnail below to view the full image.