WHAT's OFTEN MISSING in SHIKANTAZA EXPLANATIONS ....

[Jundo]

Longer out breaths have a scientific explanation. When you breathe out more than you breathe in, it triggers the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for calming down the body. I teach it to people who suffer from anxiety and depression.

However, in Shikantaza, I just breathe like Jundo said.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Guish.

There do seem to be some serious medical studies that support this, and a few Zen teachers recommend it. So, I would not say not to do so. It is fine if it is helpful.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve

HOWEVER, whether doing so or not, it is vital to drop idea of engaging in some technique or trick to attain something. It is vital to drop all need for goals.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Suuko]

There do seem to be some serious medical studies that support this, and a few Zen teachers recommend it. So, I would not say not to do so. It is fine if it is helpful.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve

HOWEVER, whether doing so or not, it is vital to drop idea of engaging in some technique or trick to attain something. It is vital to drop all need for goals.

Gassho, J

STLah

Hi Jundo,

Indeed, it changes the brain waves when you consciously breathe out more than you breathe in. Hence, after 10 minutes, one reaches a state of no thought which some may call bliss.

However, this is not the point of Shikantaza. Coming back to the link you posted on the 10th precept, we are not trying to attain anything when we sit.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Guish.



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[Jundo]

[Tobiishi]

I love how insightful writing on Zen tends (for me) to be like standing between two mirrors, gradually and minutely aligning them to bring the line of one's faces into a straight line, knowing that one can never reach that magical point... writing, thinking, talking about zazen is a worthy effort toward describing something that cannot be described down to the finest final point. This read was well worth the time, and enlightening in just the right measure, thank you

Kodo Tobiishi sat today
Gassho

[rqrusseth]

Thank you for this teaching. This is really something I found very helpful to me. Especially "...sitting itself is a complete and sacred act, the one and only action that need be done in the whole universe in that instant of sitting." It helps me very much with my zazen. Thank you. SatToday.

[Chikyou]

Thank you for this teaching, Jundo.

There are so many jewels to be discovered in these forums, this is the precious one I have discovered today.

Ghassho
SatToday
-Kelly

[Guest]

Hi Jundo,

Indeed, it changes the brain waves when you consciously breathe out more than you breathe in. Hence, after 10 minutes, one reaches a state of no thought which some may call bliss.

However, this is not the point of Shikantaza. Coming back to the link you posted on the 10th precept, we are not trying to attain anything when we sit.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Guish.



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This is very interesting indeed. The fact that science is really starting to understand this now is exciting. This effect you mention about relaxation is true if you are breathing naturally. Thus breathing in pushes the belly out and breathing out pushes the belly toward the spine. The exhalation then is pushing against the spine and stimulating the vagal pathway which then stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and thus relaxes you. Taoists practices and some yogic practices also do reverse breathing and thus the inhalation is what pushes against the spine, but this is typically done for a specific purpose. This can lead to an abundance of yang energy which you want for internal practices, martial arts, and some types of yoga, but not preferable in sitting meditation. Taoists and Traditional Chinese Medicine says that it is best to have the inhalation (yin) and exhalation (yang) be equal. This is the natural balance of things. This is natural breath which the Chinese call shun huxi.

I only share this to state that using the breath in a certain way is designed to achieve something and can be good if you are using it for that purpose. In Shikantaza, as Jundo points out, we just breathe naturally without trying to achieve anything. Kind of like the wisdom of doing nothing in particular is the natural expression of the Buddha. It may be great to use the breath in a particular way for a particular outcome. But, with Shikantaza not having any gaining ideal at its essence, we are just let things be as they naturally are.

Gassho,

Wondo

Sat Today

[Myosho]

Gassho Jundo
ReReading this.



Myosho
SaTLah

[Stephen E. Kauffman]

Jundo,

Please excuse my "lateness to the party" on this wonderful piece. It is beautiful.
Gassho,
Stephen

sat/lah

[Antonio]

No place to go. Thank you for this amazing post teacher!

[TimothyCDavis]

Shikantaza Zazen must be sat, for the time it is sat, with the student profoundly trusting deep in her bones that sitting itself is a complete and sacred act, the one and only action that need be done in the whole universe in that instant of sitting. This truth should not be thought about or voiced in so many words, but must be silently and subtly felt deep down. The student must taste vibrantly that the mere act of sitting Zazen, in that moment, is whole and thoroughly complete, the total fruition of life’s goals, with nothing lacking and nothing to be added to the bare fact of sitting here and now. There must be a sense that the single performance of crossing the legs (or sitting in some other balanced posture) is the realization of all that was ever sought, that there is simply no other place to go in the world nor thing left to do besides sitting in such posture. No matter how busy one’s life or how strongly one’s heart may tempt one to be elsewhere, for the time of sitting all other concerns are put aside. Zazen is the one task and experience that brings meaning and fruition to that time, with nothing else to do. This fulfillment in “Just Sitting” must be felt with a tangible vibrancy and energy, trusting that one is sitting at the very pinnacle of life.

THIS is the context which would have helped younger me terrifically! That it's not a means to an end, but a means unto itself; it alone is not only enough, it is everything (and nothing!).

[Devaprem]

I was going to quote Jundo's words that you have quoted, Timothy, so thank you! These words went straight to my heart, Jundo. Deep arising in me of this understanding. Yes, I struggle and stumble at times but after all the work I have done, all the searching (and finding and losing) that I have done, this is home. Just sitting for however long but forever also. Thank you again, Jundo

Gassho,
Devaprem




Sat today