"Good for nothing" Sitting origin by Okumura

[shikantazen]

I loved this explanation by Okumura roshi on what Dogen meant by "good for nothing" sitting. While other practices are like a path from "suffering in samsara" to nirvana or buddhahood, zazen is like how buddha sat (or continued to practice) after attaining buddhahood - no expectation to gain. That's what Dogen meant by "just sitting", to sit like a buddha (who is already there) expecting nothing to gain but still doing it (explanation between 35:30 and 43:30)

https://youtu.be/gNHvaohA5Mk?t=2130

Gassho,
Sam
ST

[Jundo]

Always a good reminder.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Yokai]

Thanks Sam [emoji120]

Gassho Chris satlah

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[Tom A.]

I used to think it meant I could twiddle my thumbs and that was practice, I am learning that it is much more active, to sum up:

-sit with your hands on the cosmic mudra,
-with the firm trust that this is whole and complete,
-realizing that all things are supporting you and you are everything, with no inside or outside,
-with nothing to gain,
-beyond time, opinions,
judgements etc
-opening the hand of thought to flow freely,
-saying enough to excessive thought, greed, anger and ignorance,
-coming back to the wholeness of this.
-Then making the world a more beautiful place with all actions and speech, refraining from evil and being at one with mistakes.

Is this everything?

Gassho,
Tom
Sat/Lah

[Jundo]

I used to think it meant I could twiddle my thumbs and that was practice, I am learning that it is much more active, to sum up:

-sit with your hands on the cosmic mudra,
-with the firm trust that this is whole and complete,
-realizing that all things are supporting you and you are everything, with no inside or outside,
-with nothing to gain,
-beyond time, opinions,
judgements etc
-opening the hand of thought to flow freely,
-saying enough to excessive thought, greed, anger and ignorance,
-coming back to the wholeness of this.
-Then making the world a more beautiful place with all actions and speech, refraining from evil and being at one with mistakes.

Is this everything?

Perhaps it is not "everything" (because life is always moving, things are changing, so not to nail down any more than mere words or a formula can hold something), but I would say that is a very very fine way to put this and hits the mark. Well spoken, most excellent, truly most lovely.



Now, just feel so in the bones, and just sit.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Tom A.]

Now, just feel so in the bones, and just sit.

Gassho, J

STLah

I will dig up an old Zazenkai from the treasure trove in a little bit and sit. Just one more thing about the trap of twiddling thumbs and calling it practice: I think the western thing in popular culture (brought on by beatniks, instant gratification etc...) is to only want to use Zen to escape instead of facing things like responsibility and suffering. What turned me on to Zen in high school was the Dude from “the Big Lebowski,” he was so cool, not caring about a thing, just flowing with “nothing to gain.” His vehicle was the opposite of turning towards responsibility and suffering, something I want to fully learn in this upcoming Ango which the side that nobody wants to deal with aka the precepts, volunteering and Dana until it hurts a little etc...

Gassho,
Tom
Sat/Lah

[Getchi]

Wonderful.

Dharma is infinate, therefore the play of kharma is unpredictable.

Our one revourse is mindful shikantaza.

Wonderful.


SatToday
LaH

[Meitou]

My other favourite teacher, the whole talk was wonderful as usual. Thank you Sam.
Gassho
Meitou
sattoday

[Tomás ESP]

This is wonderful. I admire Shohaku for spending 10 years away from books and 100% focused on being a monk and Zazen.

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH