What is the Sitting in Forgetting？
paulpeng"Sitting in Forgetting" (Zuowang) refers to a state where one consciously forgets all external things, even the existence of their own physical form, achieving the enlightened realm of unity with the "Great Dao" (Tao). It also denotes an internal cultivation method in which one controls their will and eliminates distracting thoughts during practice.
*Xuanzong Zhizhi Wanfa Tonggui* (Pointing Directly to the Unity of All Laws by the Mysterious Ancestor) states: "To sit means to still movements; to forget means to cease thoughts. Without sitting, one cannot still their labors; without forgetting, one cannot cease their思虑 (thoughts). If labors are not stilled, the spirit remains unrestful; if thoughts do not cease, the mind remains unpeaceful. One cannot attain this Dao without stilling the body, ceasing labors, calming the mind, and forgetting thoughts." In the *Daoshu·Zuowang Pian* (Chapter on Sitting in Forgetting in the Pivot of the Dao) by Zeng Xi of the Song Dynasty, it is said: "Sitting in Forgetting is the foundation of longevity. Thus, one attracts the genuine (qi) to refine the body; when the body is pure, it aligns with qi. One embraces the Dao to refine qi; when qi is pure, it aligns with the spirit. When the body is united with the Dao, this is called attaining the Dao."
