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A basic Zen truth is that words are poor tools for conveying Zen truth. Nevertheless, they are the tools we have, and can be used with skill to convey some things.
Recently, question came up as to whether, in Just Sitting 'Shikantaza' Zazen, we sit "indifferent" to thoughts. I replied that, somehow, it is not "indifference" because that word seems to imply an uncaring, cold, numb and neutral ambivalence to the world. It is not that. The world, including all its chaos, is sacred. Thus a better expression may be that one "lets all be," untangled and allowing (and subtly celebrating) all things "as they are." We do not sit numb and neutral, but, in fact, with a quiet faith, deep in the bones, that there is something Good, Whole and Complete (capitalized) in this sitting of Zazen and all of life, holding all the good and bad, fixed or broken, fulfilling or disappointing, happy and sad, hard and easy things (small letters) of this world.
It is just the same as how, when we rise from the sitting cushion and get back to this messy life, we do not live "detached" or "disengaged" from life, but rather, "Non-attached" that is fully "Engaged" in life. The former is to somehow shut ourselves off, push away and lock the doors. The latter is a better way of encountering the world, namely, one can experience, to the marrow, what is happening in life right now ... even the hard, unwelcome and chaotic parts of life ... while somehow also bowing to it all, knowing the Simplicity, Clarity, Light and Stillness which shines through all changing scenes, even through the difficulties and chaos. One can savor life's emotions ... but not be entangled in the emotions, knowing balance rather than excess, avoiding to be a prisoner of the harmful passions of greed, anger, jealousy, excessive fears and the like.
Thus, we sit and live knowing the ultimate Connection rather than disconnection, Care and Caring in place of neglect, Warmth not coldness, Compassion that is not callousness, Meaning, Unity and Flowing which shines through a universe that can otherwise appear so frequently pointless, broken and harsh. Yes, we Zen folks may seem a little "strange" sometimes to others' eyes (maddeningly smiling, calm and tolerant when the crowd is raging, shaking and mad) but we are certainly not "estranged" from the world.
Zen folks may avoid hate, but we need not run from love and relationships, even with their bitter-sweet ups and downs. Savor and embrace the people in your life, love and cherish them, but do not cling. When people are present in your life, experience and enjoy that fact. However, when times of sadness, separation or grief at loss come, experience that. If they hurt you, if it cannot be fixed, move on. But we should avoid to fall into excess here too, and not wallow in our longing, sadness, regrets and broken hearts.
In times of crying, just cry; in moments to smile, just smile. Through both smiles and tears, know too the Heart which Cannot Be Broken, the Wholeness and Peace which holds all the small, sharp and round, bloody and broken pieces of this life.
Thus, Zazen is sitting "Letting Be" rather than sitting "indifferent," let alone "pushing away" and resisting.
All is as it is.
Gassho, J
stlah
.
A basic Zen truth is that words are poor tools for conveying Zen truth. Nevertheless, they are the tools we have, and can be used with skill to convey some things.
Recently, question came up as to whether, in Just Sitting 'Shikantaza' Zazen, we sit "indifferent" to thoughts. I replied that, somehow, it is not "indifference" because that word seems to imply an uncaring, cold, numb and neutral ambivalence to the world. It is not that. The world, including all its chaos, is sacred. Thus a better expression may be that one "lets all be," untangled and allowing (and subtly celebrating) all things "as they are." We do not sit numb and neutral, but, in fact, with a quiet faith, deep in the bones, that there is something Good, Whole and Complete (capitalized) in this sitting of Zazen and all of life, holding all the good and bad, fixed or broken, fulfilling or disappointing, happy and sad, hard and easy things (small letters) of this world.
It is just the same as how, when we rise from the sitting cushion and get back to this messy life, we do not live "detached" or "disengaged" from life, but rather, "Non-attached" that is fully "Engaged" in life. The former is to somehow shut ourselves off, push away and lock the doors. The latter is a better way of encountering the world, namely, one can experience, to the marrow, what is happening in life right now ... even the hard, unwelcome and chaotic parts of life ... while somehow also bowing to it all, knowing the Simplicity, Clarity, Light and Stillness which shines through all changing scenes, even through the difficulties and chaos. One can savor life's emotions ... but not be entangled in the emotions, knowing balance rather than excess, avoiding to be a prisoner of the harmful passions of greed, anger, jealousy, excessive fears and the like.
Thus, we sit and live knowing the ultimate Connection rather than disconnection, Care and Caring in place of neglect, Warmth not coldness, Compassion that is not callousness, Meaning, Unity and Flowing which shines through a universe that can otherwise appear so frequently pointless, broken and harsh. Yes, we Zen folks may seem a little "strange" sometimes to others' eyes (maddeningly smiling, calm and tolerant when the crowd is raging, shaking and mad) but we are certainly not "estranged" from the world.
Zen folks may avoid hate, but we need not run from love and relationships, even with their bitter-sweet ups and downs. Savor and embrace the people in your life, love and cherish them, but do not cling. When people are present in your life, experience and enjoy that fact. However, when times of sadness, separation or grief at loss come, experience that. If they hurt you, if it cannot be fixed, move on. But we should avoid to fall into excess here too, and not wallow in our longing, sadness, regrets and broken hearts.
In times of crying, just cry; in moments to smile, just smile. Through both smiles and tears, know too the Heart which Cannot Be Broken, the Wholeness and Peace which holds all the small, sharp and round, bloody and broken pieces of this life.
Thus, Zazen is sitting "Letting Be" rather than sitting "indifferent," let alone "pushing away" and resisting.
All is as it is.
Gassho, J
stlah
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