Most Shikantaza teachers would say that you are wise not to be attracted by such things (some teachers will emphasize such unusual states, but that is not really Shikantaza). What you describe are not "advanced" stages, but merely part of the scenery of Shikantaza. You are wise not to be pulled in or overly attracted by such events. In Shikantaza, one realizes that every moment of Shikantaza, and every inch of the earth, is "advanced" beyond all advance or retreat. What you describe are just happenings, "nice and interesting places to visit, but we do not seek or wish to stay."
So, please do not practice such kinds of meditation here as Shikantaza, because it is not.
Yes, well, it is rather a mistake to say that baseball only happens when the commentators are turned off, and that "real" baseball is only in silent play. Zen folks tend to call that "80%" or being lost in the absolute view.
For example, before we begin to practice, we may be lost in the chatter and noise. We may think that only when the noise is turned off, that "real baseball" appears. Well, being lost in chatter and commentary in our heads is delusion, but it is not quite so simple as just turning it off. In Shikantaza, there is a time to turn off the words and distractions, and just watch the game. Or, better said, there is a time to just get on the field, grab a bat and play oneself. One knows one facet of baseball, not merely by observing as an armchair spectator, but by actually playing.
However, that is not the end ...
Because, when the commentary reappears, that is also good and interesting. One may realize that the "Whole Ball Park Experience" is enlightenment too, whether on the field playing, in the stands watching and eating a hot dog, or in the broadcast booth commentating. In fact, everything, from the Big Bang to your birth, getting in the car and heading onto the highway, finding a parking space and buying a ticket, spilling mustard on your shirt, cheering the wins and crying for the losses, heading home and someday being buried in the earth is the "While Ball Park Experience" for the Soto Zen baseball fan and player.
The commentary is never wrong in the way that a flubbed catch is an error. Even errors are perfectly just errors. Home runs are home runs, and errors shine as errors. Nonetheless, we try to hit home runs and not drop the balls ... Likewise, we try to get the commentary right, and sometimes turn it off or leave it on. Commentaries or non commentaries are never in error and always silent too.
"Before I began to practice Zen, I was lost in noise and commentary. After I practiced awhile, there was no noise or commentary. After I practiced more, the silence and noise and commentary were one."
Understand? Nothing wrong with the commentary or no commentary for the wise ear and there is a time to savor each. In fact, commentary or no commentary, the ball players and ball, bat and other spectators are all the Whole Ball Park. All of it is how Soto Zen folks grab a bat ... or Zafu ... and play Zen ball.
Yes, complete as it is. whether "dropping space-time" or sitting in Shea Stadium in the cheap bleachers under the hot sun with the announcer in the speaker saying "the score is 9 to 3 at the top of the 8th inning, Pete Alonso up to bat" ... all enlightenment.
Gassho, J
STLah
So, please do not practice such kinds of meditation here as Shikantaza, because it is not.
Yes, well, it is rather a mistake to say that baseball only happens when the commentators are turned off, and that "real" baseball is only in silent play. Zen folks tend to call that "80%" or being lost in the absolute view.
For example, before we begin to practice, we may be lost in the chatter and noise. We may think that only when the noise is turned off, that "real baseball" appears. Well, being lost in chatter and commentary in our heads is delusion, but it is not quite so simple as just turning it off. In Shikantaza, there is a time to turn off the words and distractions, and just watch the game. Or, better said, there is a time to just get on the field, grab a bat and play oneself. One knows one facet of baseball, not merely by observing as an armchair spectator, but by actually playing.
However, that is not the end ...
Because, when the commentary reappears, that is also good and interesting. One may realize that the "Whole Ball Park Experience" is enlightenment too, whether on the field playing, in the stands watching and eating a hot dog, or in the broadcast booth commentating. In fact, everything, from the Big Bang to your birth, getting in the car and heading onto the highway, finding a parking space and buying a ticket, spilling mustard on your shirt, cheering the wins and crying for the losses, heading home and someday being buried in the earth is the "While Ball Park Experience" for the Soto Zen baseball fan and player.
The commentary is never wrong in the way that a flubbed catch is an error. Even errors are perfectly just errors. Home runs are home runs, and errors shine as errors. Nonetheless, we try to hit home runs and not drop the balls ... Likewise, we try to get the commentary right, and sometimes turn it off or leave it on. Commentaries or non commentaries are never in error and always silent too.
"Before I began to practice Zen, I was lost in noise and commentary. After I practiced awhile, there was no noise or commentary. After I practiced more, the silence and noise and commentary were one."
Understand? Nothing wrong with the commentary or no commentary for the wise ear and there is a time to savor each. In fact, commentary or no commentary, the ball players and ball, bat and other spectators are all the Whole Ball Park. All of it is how Soto Zen folks grab a bat ... or Zafu ... and play Zen ball.
Yes, complete as it is. whether "dropping space-time" or sitting in Shea Stadium in the cheap bleachers under the hot sun with the announcer in the speaker saying "the score is 9 to 3 at the top of the 8th inning, Pete Alonso up to bat" ... all enlightenment.
Gassho, J
STLah
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