I just finished the manuscript for a short book in which I explain the ways of Shikantaza, and seek to pack in all the powerful Buddhist perspectives, without mentioning "Buddha" or "Dogen" much at all. It is also for folks who might benefit and be brought to these teachings, but would hesitate for something associated with "Buddhism" or the like. Same medicine, different package. There is a place for doing that.
However, many of the teachings coming under the lable of "mindfulness" seem to throw out the baby Buddha with the bathwater, and are offering a technique that is watered down.
That said, I think it is not good to associate Thich Nhat Hanh's approach to "mindfulness" meditation, or Jon Kabat-Zinn's original writings on the technique, with the more commercial and watery versions. I think there is a bit more substance there from what I have read.
Nonetheless, here we practice Shikantaza in this Sangha/ I think that people could widely benefit from Shikantaza, and the Buddhist teachings on Dukkha, "Emptiness" and "non-self" and all the rest that is regularly left out of modern presentations of meditation.
Gassho, J
SatTodayLAH
However, many of the teachings coming under the lable of "mindfulness" seem to throw out the baby Buddha with the bathwater, and are offering a technique that is watered down.
That said, I think it is not good to associate Thich Nhat Hanh's approach to "mindfulness" meditation, or Jon Kabat-Zinn's original writings on the technique, with the more commercial and watery versions. I think there is a bit more substance there from what I have read.
Nonetheless, here we practice Shikantaza in this Sangha/ I think that people could widely benefit from Shikantaza, and the Buddhist teachings on Dukkha, "Emptiness" and "non-self" and all the rest that is regularly left out of modern presentations of meditation.
Gassho, J
SatTodayLAH
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