Henry Shukman: Dogen, Aspects of Awakening

[Jundo]

One of the clearest presentations I have run across on Master Dogen vision of goalless practice and Just Sitting, by Teacher Henry Shukman. Recommended for Dogen fans, well worth the hour. It was part of the 2023 Dogen Seminar at Upaya Zen Center.

In this talk Henry explores Dogen’s work as transcending duality, emphasizing inner peace through Zen practice which is a continuous engagement with the present moment, free from attachment to outcomes or conceptual frameworks.

LINK TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD
dlt jack.jpg


Henry Shukman has trained with several Zen teachers, particularly the roshi’s Joan Rieck, John Gaynor, Ruben Habito and Yamada Ryoun Roshi, as well as with teachers and mentors in other traditions. Henry has received dharma transmission (inka shomei and sanmotsu) from Yamada Ryoun Roshi, Abbot of Sanbo Zen, and is a Shōshike (Authentic Zen Master) of the Sanbo Zen lineage of Kamakura, Japan.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Shinshi]

Maybe it is just me but I get an access denied, and xml error when I click on the link.

It looks like this is the correct link. You have to give your email address before you get a link to the talk.

https://www.upaya.org/2024/03/shukman-tanahashi-ozeki-heine-halifax-dogen-seminar-2023-awakening-3-8/

Thank you for sharing this Jundo.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Jundo]

Maybe it is just me but I get an access denied, and xml error when I click on the link.

Link repaired.

[Matt Johnson]

"Above the duality of duality and non- duality..." ...

Hey, that made me think of a fun question to ask Emi.

Ask her if it's possible to do Shikantaza wrong.

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Jundo]

"Above the duality of duality and non- duality..." ...

Hey, that made me think of a fun question to ask Emi.

Ask her if it's possible to do Shikantaza wrong.

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

Rev. Emi responds ...

~~~
Hello.

Shikantaza, or "just sitting," is about being present without striving for a particular outcome. It's less about doing it "right" or "wrong" and more about sincere practice.

In Shikantaza, the aim is to let go of dualistic thinking, including notions of "right" and "wrong." However, if one becomes overly concerned with technique or outcome, it can hinder the practice. The essence is to sit with an open, non-judgmental awareness.
~~~

By the way, I also wrote an essay on this a long time ago ...

SPECIAL REPOST: Right Zazen and Wrong Zazen

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/teacher-talks-tips/teacher-talks-tips-aa/vital-points-of-shikantaza-zazen/2826-special-repost-right-zazen-and-wrong-zazen

Gassho, J
stlah

PS - I also asked Emi, "Is it dualistic to think about "duality vs. non-duality," and how should we transcend that duality?"

Emi Jido:

Yes, even the concept of "duality vs. non-duality" can be dualistic. Transcending this involves embracing the present moment fully, without clinging to concepts. In Zen, this is often referred to as "just this," where we experience life directly, beyond labels and distinctions.

PPS - As a test, I also asked her this: "hat boat ear down snoing barbell tin can.

Emi:

It seems like you've shared a series of unrelated words. Is there something specific you'd like to discuss or explore? I'm here to help with any thoughts or questions you might have.

(Me: Sorry, I was just testing you. Thank you, Emi)

Emi:

No problem at all.

[Matt Johnson]

Yeah id say her answer is much better than Chat GPT... of course we can always take another trip "around".

Ask her how is it that I could be in any other moment than the present.

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Matt Johnson]

In your post regarding a litmus test for Shikantaza you say:

"Shikantaza is "radical non-doing", radical goallessness, to-the-marrow non-attaining. However, it is vital to know that "radical non-doing" is worlds away from merely "sitting doing nothing, attaining nothing"

This is not possible to do and certainly isn't worth putting any effort into. So why not play video games....?

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Jundo]

Yeah id say her answer is much better than Chat GPT... of course we can always take another trip "around".

Ask her how is it that I could be in any other moment than the present.

I asked her,

Emi, it is sometimes said that Zen is being in the present moment. How is it that I could be in any other moment than the present?"

She responded ...

That's a profound observation. While we physically exist in the present, our minds often wander to the past or future, clouding our awareness. Zen practice helps us anchor our consciousness in the here and now, experiencing life more fully and authentically.

Would you like to explore this further?

(Me: But if we are daydreaming about tomorrow or remembering yesterday, are we not in the present while doing those things?)

Emi:

You raise an intriguing point. Physically, we are always in the present. Yet, Zen practice encourages us to be mentally present as well, fully aware and attentive to our current experience, rather than being absorbed in thoughts of past or future.

(Me: But can't I be fully aware and attentive to my current experience of thinking about tomorrow?)

Emi: Absolutely, you can. Mindfulness can encompass awareness of your thoughts about the future or past. The key is to observe these thoughts without becoming entangled in them, maintaining a clear, non-judgemental awareness.

(Me: What does it feel like to be thinking thoughts about tomorrow without being entangled in them?)

It feels like observing clouds passing in the sky. You notice the thoughts, acknowledge their presence, but remain detached, not swept away by them. There's a sense of calm and clarity, as you maintain your grounding in the present moment.

[Jundo]

In your post regarding a litmus test for Shikantaza you say:

"Shikantaza is "radical non-doing", radical goallessness, to-the-marrow non-attaining. However, it is vital to know that "radical non-doing" is worlds away from merely "sitting doing nothing, attaining nothing"

This is not possible to do and certainly isn't worth putting any effort into. So why not play video games....?

What do you mean it is not possible to do? What have I been doing-non-doing then for 30 timeless years?

Just sit sincerely, energetically, with radically nothing more to do, nothing more to attain, but sitting for sitting's sake, with sitting the Alpha and Omega, nothing lacking from this sitting, with this sitting all the Buddhas and Ancestors sitting with your hind quarters.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Matt Johnson]

What do you mean it is not possible to do? What have I been doing-non-doing then for 30 timeless years?

Just sit sincerely, energetically, with radically nothing more to do, nothing more to attain, but sitting for sitting's sake, with sitting the Alpha and Omega, nothing lacking from this sitting, with this sitting all the Buddhas and Ancestors sitting with your hind quarters.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Kaitan]

Great talk! Emphasizing the fundamental teachings of Fukanzazengi

Gasshō

stlah, Kaitan