2025/02/16 17:00 Ten Stages of Ox Herding: Dharma Workshop

The Ten Stages of Ox Herding: A Zen Teaching

The Ten Stages of Ox Herding is a well-known Zen teaching, and perhaps one of the first stories we encounter when beginning the study of Zen. In a conventional academic career, we acquire knowledge, complete courses, and earn degrees. However, in the Zen tradition, the use of levels is largely avoided because, unlike the academic world, in spiritual matters, the accumulation of knowledge is no guarantee of growth.

Beginner’s Mind

Master Suzuki once said: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, very few.” On the spiritual path of ox herding, we work moment by moment with what arises. It’s like a carpenter who examines a twisted piece of wood and sees what can be made from it. Each piece of wood is different, and we need all our intuition to discern what can be done with what is before us.

And of course, there are no levels here. Either we are present, or we are not. Whether we are beginners or veterans, with greater or lesser skills, if we cannot see the wood with the eyes of the craftsman at the moment we hold it in our hands, all the knowledge we have acquired will be of no use.

Ox Herding

This does not mean that we won’t encounter similar obstacles along the way or that our vision won’t change as we let go of our limited perspectives. So, can we talk about spiritual growth? Reflecting on the path helps us see what we can let go of at this very moment.

In this sense, discussing stages of spiritual evolution can be helpful. It allows us to discern what we can release now, rather than believing we exist on some illusory level. This way, we can make good use of the story of ox herding, one of the most popular teachings in Zen.

Dharma Workshop: Ox Herding

This workshop is based on the chapter “The Ten Stages of Ox Herding” from the book by Lluis Nansen Salas, 2022, Zen Mediterrani, el despertar universal, ediciones viena, Barcelona.

📅 Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
👤 Led by Zen Master Lluis Nansen Salas
💰 Single session: €30 (€10 for active members)

For more information about the complete course: Dharma Course

Sign up for the workshop

The First Stage of Ox Herding in the Zen Tradition: “Seeking the Ox”

This stage represents the beginning of the spiritual journey, where the practitioner recognizes that something essential is missing in their life or that their connection to their true nature has been lost.

Meaning of the Stage: “Seeking the Ox”

In this phase, the ox symbolizes the true nature of the self or the spiritual essence underlying all things. The practitioner feels an inner restlessness and begins to seek answers to profound questions:

Who am I?
What is my purpose?
What is reality?
The act of “seeking” implies dissatisfaction with a superficial life and a deep yearning to uncover a greater truth. It is a moment of awakening, where the practitioner realizes they are trapped in illusions and the conditioning of the everyday world.

The Ox as a Metaphor

The ox represents the untamed mind or the true nature that lies hidden behind thoughts, emotions, and distractions. Although always present, it is difficult to perceive due to the “noise” of daily life.

In this stage of ox herding, the path is filled with doubts and confusion. It is a time of exploration and effort, where the practitioner looks for signs of the ox’s presence either in their surroundings or within themselves. This search often involves studying spiritual teachings, practicing meditation, and engaging in deep introspection.

The Teaching of Ox Herding

The stage of “Seeking the Ox” reminds us that the spiritual journey begins with a sincere longing and the willingness to search beyond the known. Even though the ox seems lost, the first step in finding it is realizing its absence and committing to the search.

It is a call to embark on the journey, even if the destination remains uncertain.