You don't have to THINK in the zendo

So, if I had read the title of this post a year ago I would have said, "Okay, reason number one to NOT go in the zendo. I like my thoughts, I don't want to stop thinking."
But, I've been meditating for a little while now and I'm okay with not 'thinking' while I'm in the zendo and, honestly, I'm kind of grateful for it. Here's what happened to help me appreciate this:
I was at evening service. I was trying to actually be present (not think so much about what I was doing right or wrong in the zendo), for the whole time in the zendo, not just during zazen but for the bowing and chanting and service part too.
So, after fluffing my cushion, I stood up, hands in shasu, and meditated: I put my gaze on the floor about two feet in front of me and tried to feel my breath. I did the same thing as I do when I'm sitting on the cushion. And I just breathed, for awhile, and then I thought:
"Uh oh! How will I know when to bow if I'm not watching the doshi?"
'Bing!' went a bell and I was like, "Oh, time to bow."
And then I thought, "Ohhhh, that's what those bells are for!"
See, I always thought they were to coordinate us in our bowing, to time us together. I'm sure they help with this, but I also think they're there so that you don't have to think about who's doing what and when. You can actually meditate, and that bell will tell you what to do. You don't have to look around, check your watch, or worry about what's going to happen next; you can just meditate until you hear a bell, then bow until you hear another one, then chant until you hear another one, then bow when you hear another one, and then walk out when you hear the last one- all the while focusing on your breath and actually meditating.
Honestly, it's kind of a luxury to have this structure, this repetitive system in which you can just breathe and follow. I mean, if you want to meditate, to not have to think, the zendo is pretty darn supportive of that. (Okay, I get it, that's why it's called the MED I TA TION HALL. Be patient with me, it just takes me a while to get these things, but once I get 'em...)