The object of Zen training consists in making us realise that Zen is our daily experience and not something put in from the outside.  A master, Dogo, had a novice called Shoshin.  When Soshin first came to the monastery, it was natural for him to expect lessons in Zen from his teacher.  But Dogo gave him no special lessons and this bewildered and disappointed Shoshin.
On day he said to Dogo:

"It's some time since I came here, but not a word has been given me regarding the essence of Zen teaching."

Dogo replied, "Since your arrival I have been giving you lessons all the time on the matter of Zen discipline."

"What kind of lesson could it have been?"

"When you bring me a cup of tea in the morning, I take it; when you serve me a meal, I accept it; when you bow to me, I return it with a nod.  How else do you expect to be taught the understanding of Zen?"

Shoshin hung his head, pondering these puzzling words.

Dogo said, "If you want to see, see right at once.  When you begin to think, you miss the point."


from Ch'an and Zen Teaching, Series 2, by Lu K'uan Yu