Drivin' Dogen - Understanding "Open Spacious Awareness"

[moyomoy]

Many thanks for this wisdom Jundo.

I keep reading again and again, it brings about a better understanding of the practice. I’m still working on my daily commitment, though reading it motivates me more for practice.

I live in Hong Kong, hope to visit you with my family one day.

Gassho

Moy


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[Seibu]

Come take a little drive ... sorry if the road is a bit winding ...

I have encountered a few people in recent days asking about the "Open Spacious Awareness" of Shikantaza. I always try to describe things in clear terms that modern folks can relate to. So, although Dogen surely did not own a car (he did sometimes talk about oxen and carts), I would like to try the analogy of driving down the boundless highway.

First, what is "Open Spacious Awareness"? In Zazen, we may place the mind on following the breath, the posture, the belly, in the palm of the upturned hands or (as I recommend when people can, after having developed a bit of settled stability in mind and body) in "Open Spacious Awareness." This "Open Spacious Awareness" is simply to have the place of attention on everything, and nothing in particular, with equanimity. In such sitting, the mind can move from and to anything in experience amid the field of awareness, or it can take in the entire field of awareness at once (or just a slice) ... but the key is equanimity. One is observing without judging, not thinking about, getting tangled in chains of thoughts about what one is experiencing.


Gassho, J

STLah[

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Thank you for your teachings Jundo Roshi . I reread it several times and the analogy of driving is a very useful one. Here I go again with the martial arts but the part I quoted in this post is known as zanshin in Iaido, kendo, and Jodo, and probably in other martial arts too. I know you speak Japanese so you might be familiar with the term.


Gassho,
Jack
SatToday/lah

[Washin]

Thank you for the teaching, Jundo. I like this analogy. When I sit on the cushion
and "driving zazen" I often go fast with a thought speed. When I notice I went
too far I mentally "disengage the clutch"..then again and again.

Gassho,
Washin
stlah

[Jakuden]

Thank you, Jundo Roshi.
[emoji594]
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


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[Beldame]

I had to laugh a little reading this as I'm a terrible driver. I learned to drive late in life and still get very tense on new roads. I recently started a new route along a curvy road I find very harrowing (to get to a Doctor's office), but about the fourth or fifth time I noticed that completely unconsciously my brain sort of knew what to do and was responding more intuitively even though I would have told you that I was just as confused by the road as ever. Hope that happens with Zazen as well.

Thank you for your teaching--Gassho--
Deborah

SatToday

[Kotei]

Hello,

somehow, I missed this until today.
Thank you Jundo!

When sitting in the driver's seat of all this, don't forget facing east if you don't like travelling back- or sidewards

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Skovbo91]

I have a question about pain i stomach. I some times get pain in the lower stomach, and it somehow feels like it comes from zazen posture. Have you experience something like that yourself?
I have heard somewhere that the course maybe could be to much push, I am relaxing when I sit down but still there is sometimes pain in and efter zazen.

Gassho Mikkel

[Jundo]

I have a question about pain i stomach. I some times get pain in the lower stomach, and it somehow feels like it comes from zazen posture. Have you experience something like that yourself?
I have heard somewhere that the course maybe could be to much push, I am relaxing when I sit down but still there is sometimes pain in and efter zazen.

Gassho Mikkel

l had stomach surgery 2 years ago. Maybe just gas? From the position?

However, get yourself checked by a doctor! Make sure it is not some other problem.

Yes, do not "push" at all. lt is balance, comfortable sitting.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Seishin]

Must have missed this for some reason. Great analogy. I find myself thinking of zazen when out riding nowhere in particular on my motorcycle. And sitting I occasionally get reminded its like the freedom of riding, where everything is just one.

[Jishin]

I have a question about pain i stomach. I some times get pain in the lower stomach, and it somehow feels like it comes from zazen posture. Have you experience something like that yourself?
I have heard somewhere that the course maybe could be to much push, I am relaxing when I sit down but still there is sometimes pain in and efter zazen.

Gassho Mikkel

Hi,

Cognition is very important but never overlook intuition.

My 2 cents.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Meitou]

Thank you for this Jundo, I don't drive so this kind of metaphor has never occurred to me. A point of reference for me as a physical experience of Open Spacious Awareness has always been taking the time to sit and look out over the sea to the horizon, where the sea and sky apparently meet - so much to be aware of and yet nothing at all. A sea bird flies over, a cloud drifts by, all part of the big blue, but only passing through.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltodaylah

[Kyonin]

Thank you Jundo.

When I run I often find myself in this "driving" mind. All there is is the road, the here and now. Everything else is still there, but with no names or labels.

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Amelia]

Kyonin,

I also call it hiking-mind.

Gassho

Sat today, lah

[Tokan]

Thank you Jundo and sangha

Seishin - I actually gave up my motorbike because I got 'too' zen while riding and nearly left the road on a fast corner!!!

Gassho, Tokan

SatLah

[Yokai]

Thank you Jundo and sangha for the insight and perspective you have brought to my ongoing practice. As a beginner I relate to Shinshi's comments about the tendency to get wrapped up in mirrors, gears and gripping the wheel (!), rather than experiencing the flow, unity and continuous now of driving. Having just road-tested this teaching on the school run and sitting SSR, I am so grateful. Thank you all.
Gassho, Chris -sat/lah