This is a clip from The Zen Mind documentary, filmed in Japan. It serves as a nice overview of zen – a topic very few people can fully understand. – EmptyMind Films. http://emptymindfilms.com

The Fruits of Zen Practice

A higher spiritual awareness of the biology of the brain & mind can significantly advance one towards Enlightenment and Zen. The science of biology says that the brain’s thoughts are just the result of cells doing work, and teachings on spirituality talk about having a silent mind of Zen. Biology + Buddhism = Enlightenment. http://bit.ly/6D9ntu and http://www.thetruthsoflife.com

Water heats gradually
and boils suddenly.

We cannot force the natural course of events; everything happens in its ‘right’ time. The process is gradual, and hence may appear slow to us as we are often too impatient with expectations, but the change takes place within an instant.

Similarly, awakening can not be forced,  but may be encouraged; just like a seed which sprouts naturally when the right conditions prevail.