Henry Shukman: Dogen, Aspects of Awakening

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  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40480

    Henry Shukman: Dogen, Aspects of Awakening

    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
    Last edited by Jundo; 09-12-2024, 12:27 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
  • Shinshi
    Treeleaf Priest
    • Jul 2010
    • 3679

    #2
    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.

    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…


    Thank you for sharing this Jundo.

    Gassho, Shinshi

    SaT-LaH
    Last edited by Shinshi; 09-11-2024, 04:07 PM.
    空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi

    For Zen students a weed is a treasure. With this attitude, whatever you do, life becomes an art.
    ​— Shunryu Suzuki

    E84I - JAJ

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    • Jundo
      Treeleaf Founder and Priest
      • Apr 2006
      • 40480

      #3
      Originally posted by Shinshi
      Maybe it is just me but I get an access denied, and xml error when I click on the link.
      Link repaired.

      ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

      Comment

      • Matt Johnson
        Member
        • Jun 2024
        • 405

        #4
        "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

        Comment

        • Jundo
          Treeleaf Founder and Priest
          • Apr 2006
          • 40480

          #5
          Originally posted by 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
          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
          Hi, I BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING TO BE SO VITAL, FOR NEW AND OLD, THAT I AM GOING TO MAKE A SPECIAL REPOST. It is the "there is good Zazen, and bad Zazen ... but never any bad Zazen" post ... _________________________________________________ Hey All, I would like to repost something that I think is important to


          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.





          Last edited by Jundo; 09-12-2024, 02:27 AM.
          ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

          Comment

          • Matt Johnson
            Member
            • Jun 2024
            • 405

            #6
            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

            Comment

            • Matt Johnson
              Member
              • Jun 2024
              • 405

              #7
              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

              Comment

              • Jundo
                Treeleaf Founder and Priest
                • Apr 2006
                • 40480

                #8
                Originally posted by 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.
                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.





                ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

                Comment

                • Jundo
                  Treeleaf Founder and Priest
                  • Apr 2006
                  • 40480

                  #9
                  Originally posted by 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....?
                  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

                  ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

                  Comment

                  • Matt Johnson
                    Member
                    • Jun 2024
                    • 405

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Jundo

                    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

                    Comment

                    • Kaitan
                      Member
                      • Mar 2023
                      • 547

                      #11
                      Great talk! Emphasizing the fundamental teachings of Fukanzazengi

                      Gasshō

                      stlah, Kaitan
                      Kaitan - 界探 - Realm searcher
                      Formerly known as "Bernal"

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