The great Zen Master Michiso spent his life in a cave at the foot of a mountain in the province of Tamba. Despite this remote location and, never traveling more than a mile or two from this humble abode, word of his great wisdom spread and many a would be student of Zen made the journey to his simple abode, hoping to become enlightened.

Michiso never turned away any student who visited. Man, woman, young, old, hale and hearty or barely able to walk; all were invited to sit at the feet of the master. Alas, as many found out by their own experience, being a student of Michiso was not easy. For it was only during the morning and evening meditation that anyone was allowed to enter the cave to sit at Michiso’s feet. Further, a would be student first needed to provide for their own shelter, daily food and other worldly needs.

Many, expecting to find at least a rudimentary monastery or ashram building nearby, departed within a few weeks to seek more comfortable surroundings for their journey to enlightenment. Others, despite being immersed in a beautiful environment that included pristine lakes and rivers, trees filled with sweet fruits and a pleasant climate, also departed, finding Michiso’s simple teaching uninspiring and, after a time, too difficult to continue. Inspiring or not, Michiso’s Zen consisted of very simple instructions for those who stayed on.

Count the leaves on the trees. Count the insects you see. Count the steps you take each day. Count the clouds by day and count the stars by night. Count the berries on each bush. Count the raindrops; count the snowflakes; count the birds in the sky. Count the fish in the lake. Count the number of thoughts you have each day. Count your heartbeats. Count your breaths. Count your minutes, hours and days. Count what you have done right and count what you have done wrong.

It is said that in the forty three years that Michiso taught his counting Zen, less than a handful of students gave up counting and obtained enlightenment.