"It is often emphasized that the goal of Zen Buddhism is not some kind of altered states of consciousness. On the contrary, the aim of Zen Buddhism is to become immune to being conditioned into altered states. In this context, furthermore, "altered states" are defined more rigorously than in conventional psychological theory, from the perspective of the pure original mind rather from that of the local parameters of conventional consciousness. Guishan (Isan), another great Chinese Zen master of the Tang dynasty, said, "The mind of people of the Way is straightforward and unartificial, neither ignoring or inclining, with no deceptive errant mind; at all time their perception is normal. There are no further details. Also, don't shut the eyes and ears; as long as the feelings don't stick to things, that is enough."
As suggested by this statement, Zen Buddhism does not teach escapism, chronic withdrawal, or denial of ordinary reality. The late Tang dynasty master Caoshan (Sozan) said, "There is no need to escape anything; just know about it. that's enough. If you try to avoid it, it's still affecting you. Just don't be changed or affected by things, and you will be free."
- Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zengi. 1993, p. 5-
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