What is Soto Zen Practice?

[Jakuden]

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH

[Risho]

Thank you so much for this!

Gassho

Risho
-sat/lah

[Hoyu]

Thank you for the reminder
Always nice to take a moment to look at the compass and check the map to insure you’re still on course. Even though with this practice there’s no place to go, all the while still taking care that we’re adjusting the sails and are going the right way!

Gassho,
Hoyu
St/LAH

[Kotei]

Yes, have read it 100 times and still thankful for the 101.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Eishuu]

Thank you

Gassho
Lucy
ST/LAH

[Souchi]

Thanks for this reminder

Gassho,
Stefan

SatToday

[Enjaku]

Thanks Jundo,

Enjaku,
Sat LAH

[Kyonin]

Thank you Jundo. Precious reminder.

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Risho]

I've been thinking about this a lot - I think it goes without saying that these core teachings cannot be stated enough; it's something that resonates, but it's easy to fall off the cushion so to speak; so like zazen which needs to be taken in consistent, daily doses, I feel this type of teaching is something I need to read regularly as well.

I need to hear it because it's a very, very subtle point. I mean this practice is subtle. We don't need fixing - everything is ok (or rather complete and without any need of change; fully itself), but yeah we need to do everything we can to better ourselves and others and our world. Both are true simultaneously; I usually fall to one side or the other - my practice is to get back on the horse and balance, all the while knowing there is nowhere to go, but putting all my effort into not going anywhere.

Often times with practice and dharma study, I think something makes sense, but when I try to restate it in my own words, it immediately becomes clear that I still do not fully understand. This gap in understanding has been a constant in my practice, and I feel it's normal, else I'd have no work to do, no practice. But even though I state this I have to come into this full and well aware that it is likely incorrect. Sidepoint and also a koan about life itself, and I think one of the most important realizations of practice: I feel that we have to come to life fully committed and confident in where we are, state what we "know" (intentionally in quotes), knowing full well that what we think we know is likely incorrect in one or many ways and be willing to drop those thoughts when new and compelling evidence is presented to the contrary of our beliefs. This may seem discouraging, but I really find that this is enjoyable; it's what makes Zen practice and life enjoyable, it's key to enjoying the process for me.

I feel what Jundo stated so eloquently is the Heart Sutra - moreover, I feel that this is a very, very nice, concise and contemporary expression of the Heart Sutra in fact - in the language that I need to hear it in. Don't get me wrong, I like the Heart Sutra, but I really like the language that Jundo is expressing this teaching in because it's in my contemporary language. So the way I understand this is that everything is fully and completely just what it is now - without anything to adjust or fix. We often times try to make things the way we want them - struggling in vain in the way things are, but our way is powerful because we don't need to do that - things are they are - drop those judgments. Now that the judgments are dropped, without any regret, anger, self-sabotage, etc, let's move forward with a somewhat more accurate view of reality (hopefully) and we can focus on getting better, eating better, treating each other better, etc. We can only truly focus and live our lives when we are really experiencing them or softening the oft-times mistaken filters we see things through.

There isn't anything to be added to what Jundo already stated; I'm just posting this from a selfish perspective - again often times something makes sense when I hear the teaching, but the reality of my mis-understanding appears when I try to internalize and restate, so I'm just reiterating here to better my practice if that makes any sense.

Gassho,

Risho
-st/lah

[Heisoku]

Thank you Jundo.
Gassho Heisoku
Sattoday

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Hoyu]

I've been thinking about this a lot - I think it goes without saying that these core teachings cannot be stated enough; it's something that resonates, but it's easy to fall off the cushion so to speak; so like zazen which needs to be taken in consistent, daily doses, I feel this type of teaching is something I need to read regularly as well.

I need to hear it because it's a very, very subtle point. I mean this practice is subtle. We don't need fixing - everything is ok (or rather complete and without any need of change; fully itself), but yeah we need to do everything we can to better ourselves and others and our world. Both are true simultaneously; I usually fall to one side or the other - my practice is to get back on the horse and balance, all the while knowing there is nowhere to go, but putting all my effort into not going anywhere.

Often times with practice and dharma study, I think something makes sense, but when I try to restate it in my own words, it immediately becomes clear that I still do not fully understand. This gap in understanding has been a constant in my practice, and I feel it's normal, else I'd have no work to do, no practice. But even though I state this I have to come into this full and well aware that it is likely incorrect. Sidepoint and also a koan about life itself, and I think one of the most important realizations of practice: I feel that we have to come to life fully committed and confident in where we are, state what we "know" (intentionally in quotes), knowing full well that what we think we know is likely incorrect in one or many ways and be willing to drop those thoughts when new and compelling evidence is presented to the contrary of our beliefs. This may seem discouraging, but I really find that this is enjoyable; it's what makes Zen practice and life enjoyable, it's key to enjoying the process for me.

I feel what Jundo stated so eloquently is the Heart Sutra - moreover, I feel that this is a very, very nice, concise and contemporary expression of the Heart Sutra in fact - in the language that I need to hear it in. Don't get me wrong, I like the Heart Sutra, but I really like the language that Jundo is expressing this teaching in because it's in my contemporary language. So the way I understand this is that everything is fully and completely just what it is now - without anything to adjust or fix. We often times try to make things the way we want them - struggling in vain in the way things are, but our way is powerful because we don't need to do that - things are they are - drop those judgments. Now that the judgments are dropped, without any regret, anger, self-sabotage, etc, let's move forward with a somewhat more accurate view of reality (hopefully) and we can focus on getting better, eating better, treating each other better, etc. We can only truly focus and live our lives when we are really experiencing them or softening the oft-times mistaken filters we see things through.

There isn't anything to be added to what Jundo already stated; I'm just posting this from a selfish perspective - again often times something makes sense when I hear the teaching, but the reality of my mis-understanding appears when I try to internalize and restate, so I'm just reiterating here to better my practice if that makes any sense.

Gassho,

Risho
-st/lah

Very beautiful and moving Risho!


Gassho,
Hoyu
ST(Zazenkai)
LAH

[Caisson]

Thank you!

,

Satoday

[Beldame]

Thank you--

This was especially pointed for me as I get underway with sitting: "How tragic if we instead turn our Zazen into just one more battle for achievement, a race to get some peaceful place, attain some craved prize or spiritual reward. Or, on the other hand, how equally tragic if we use Zazen just as a break from life, a little escape, never tasting the wholeness and completeness of life."

Gassho--
Deborah

SatToday

[MyoHo]

And still, it is a closed hand held before a child.
" Can you guess what's in it?"

Gassho
MyoHo

[Tenrai]

Thank You for this reminder and the insightful comments.
Found this exactly when I needed it
Gassho
Richard
SAT/LAH