Achieving Zen
To achieve zen, you have to surrender the search while maintaining the momentum. Sure many times I quit, thought I reached zen too early, and other obstacles for every path towards zen, but the path remains.Zazen is the activity of practicing zen, or meditating, because zen cannot be practiced. It is the Buddha mind attained from practicing Zazen effortlessly. Zen mind is your brain unconditioned.
The Buddha is you, not me. Zen is Zazen attainment flowing in cycles within us like energy fountains. Hence, Zen Taoism, the two intertwined paths of liberation.
Right speech is a safe starting step along the way, or the path. Nobody can show or teach you Zen, because nobody else exists outside of your mind's creations. For us, they are mostly sight and sound, but of course all senses are mental formations.
Buddha Achieving Zen
Siddhartha attained Buddha mind and documented his way for the rest. That is Buddhism, which is not Zen. Zen is yours alone. See it? Now you do, briefly.When in Zazen, the eightfold path unfolds for you. That path ends suffering. Zazen is Zen on the path. There is Zen entirely. That is the Buddha mind.
Right Speech and Achieving Zen
Speak less overall, but contribute more talks on peacefulness. Know your words' implied interpretations and affects on the rest, the not-you.Having Achieved Zen
Avoid belittling, mocking, sarcasm, and anger-fueled words. When it happens again, correct your path, speech has steered you off course. Speak honest, clear, compassionate, and meaningful words to not-you. Failing that is always your fault, because only you exist.Smoking, sugars, animal diets, and non-edible ingredients cause poor speech. Once you are ready for the next step, then proceed, but do not suddenly instruct Right Speech to the rest.