Daily practice...struggles...

[Jundo]

Hi Koki, since i started Shikantaza, i get phases when i´m feeling pretty good and some phases
i get a bit of confusion and/or anxiety / fear.

stumbled upon this article a few weeks ago, HELPED ME A LOT!!

https://alohadharma.com/2011/06/12/the-dark-night/

Gassho
Sat Today.

Oh, this kind of "dark night" usually happens in much more intense, forceful and psychologically traumatic ways of meditating than Shikantaza! That article seems to have little to do with our way of sitting here.

Shikantaza as we practice here (some people can be more intense about it) is easy, gentle, relaxed and light. While it is true that hidden things can "come up" to mind in the quiet of Zazen, they are usually temporary and light. If fear or anxiety comes up, it is usually temporary. In the rare case it is persistent, there are other issues involved where one may normally prone to such things.

I would not consider that article very relevant or helpful to our practice here at all. The article seems to be trying for stages and attainments, and is a very different animal. Please don't connect it in any way with Shikantaza.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Koki]

Thank you for the clarification Jundo. I also believe Shikantaza to be a very unique practice.

Koki


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[Jakuden]

But dear Koki, how could Dharma gates ever be locked? The Dharma liberates all--we are always completely free to be exactly who and what we are in this moment. From Fukanzazengi: "Have no designs on becoming a Buddha.... The zazen I speak of is not meditation practice. It is simply the dharma gate of joyful ease, the practice-realization of totally culminated enlightenment."

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Koki]

Thank you Jakuden!
Kind of a revolving door

Koki

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