98 of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

14 Quaint gate.jpg

一百八法明門
IPPYAKUHACHI-HOMYOMON
One Hundred and Eight Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[98] The practice of the balanced state of dhyana is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for it fulfills the ten powers.

The practice of the balanced state of dhyana represents a state of deep meditative absorption characterized by profound concentration, clarity, and, critically, a balance between calm and insight. It is not merely a trancelike state, but rather a "middle way" approach that avoids both extreme asceticism and sensory indulgence, utilizing mindfulness to achieve a stable, undistracted mind. The practice is designed to avoid the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification, fostering a "natural" state of awareness. True dhyana is not confined to the cushion; it is an "ever-flowing source of wisdom" that can be integrated into walking, sleeping, and daily activities. The balanced state is a "non-abiding mind" that does not fixate on good or evil, existence or non-existence, but remains in a state of open, lucid awareness.

How are you deepening with this in your practice?

合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai
stlah
仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai
"Open to life in a benevolent way"

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

This reminds me why I really want to get an archery set again. It’s such a fun, sneaky way to get the girls to join me in a practice that balances middle state without it feeling like “practice,” and they both love it.

With our limited space, we’ll probably stick to a standard recurve, but I’ve always appreciated the approach of Kyūdō. By focusing on form, breath, and letting go of the goal of “hitting the target,” things naturally settle into a calm, stable harmony.

In that way, hitting the target becomes more of a byproduct. When posture, breathing, and attention are aligned, the arrow seems to find its way on its own.

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tenryu]

This gate feels like that same pond I mentioned in the last Gate, simply sitting by it and watching without disturbing the surface.

A leaf falls, a thought, and small ripples spread. A fish passes through, a feeling, and is gone again. Nothing to catch, nothing to push away.

Just watching, aware, letting the water be water.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
satt•LaH

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai.

Well the truth is that I hope I am deepening with balance/equanimity in my Practice. I think day to day it may be hard to see. A few days of distracted sits or doom scrolling or any number of things might lead me to believe that my Practice is stuck but if I look at the long term trend I believe that yes my Practice is deepening and not just on the cushion but better integrated into my life.

Practice practice practice


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

I have spent the last year alone and spending the majority of my time practicing and contemplating practice, life, and considering how my practice has gotten off the zafu and embedded into my everyday life, seeking to serve others, do good for them, bring joy, peace, and love and alleviate suffering. I read zen books (when I can focus and concentrate… this grief thing is a doozy!)I don’t watch TV, and I honestly spend most of my time (outside of work) involved with some aspect of our practice. I live with gathas on my walls, I have dedicated half my living room to my zendo (essentially one third of my living space) as well as a Bodhidharma shrine I built on the living room side. (I may set up another smaller altar space in my bedroom as well. I find these are visual reminders for me… inspiration) I sit every day, multiple times a day… and I have noticed that how I approach life is changing. There is more of an underlying calm stillness now… I am a work in progress, but I feel that I am headed in the right direction when it comes to this gate.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Seikan]

This is what I like and appreciate about our practice of Shikantaza. It isn't a form of intensive concentration practice, but neither is it loose and without structure. It occupies a dynamic point of balance between the two extremes. Equally important is how we bring this same cultivated state of mind to the rest of our lives "off the cushion". In fact, the latter is where the most difficult work often takes place. So while zazen is crucial to our practice, it is still only one side of the coin.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[dorgan]

My personal experience of achieving dhyana is like the child’s game of hopscotch. A pattern of squares chalked on the pavement, and played when the player throws a rock, stick, or other marker onto the board, and then hops through the squares. The player hops over the square the marker is on and picks the marker back up on their way back. My life is one of shifting patterns, like a series of chalked hopscotch boards. The stones I throw are the unintended consequences of my own behaviour, which I must hop over on my way through life. The beauty of the mindful life is that even though you have done this, when you remember your mistakes, the obstacles you have thrown in your path over which you had to jump, you find that you have been your true hopping self, that the path with the obstacles was always the true path, and that you have done nothing wrong in playing the game of life. Hopping is not a path to the enlightened way; it is the enlightened way. My hopscotch board of life is my path of learning and balance.

gassho, david
stlah

[Chikyou]

This is something that I’ve noticed comes and goes in my practice, though I aspire to maintain it. I have long periods of time where zazen is light, balanced, and easy. I have periods of time where every sit seems to be fully occupied by Monkey Mind. Over time, I recognize this pattern. When the monkeys come ‘round again, I don’t worry about it too much. I know they won’t stay.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō