Do eyes have to be open?

[Tomás ESP]

Having practiced both meditation focusing on the breath and Shikantaza, I find that they are both valid methods. The question is, what are you looking for? Breathing meditation can bring you into profound states of concentration, bliss, joy, etc. Having said this, Shikantaza is full trust in the moment, nothing needed, the path itself unfolding, dropping notions of good and bad, right and wrong, pleasure and pain. As someone who tends to search for "the answer" or tries to "pacify the mind", I find that Shikantaza, JUST SITTING for the sake of sitting is just that, nothing extra. Which is incredible

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Shokai]

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jundo]

Having practiced both meditation focusing on the breath and Shikantaza, I find that they are both valid methods. The question is, what are you looking for? Breathing meditation can bring you into profound states of concentration, bliss, joy, etc. Having said this, Shikantaza is full trust in the moment, nothing needed, the path itself unfolding, dropping notions of good and bad, right and wrong, pleasure and pain. As someone who tends to search for "the answer" or tries to "pacify the mind", I find that Shikantaza, JUST SITTING for the sake of sitting is just that, nothing extra. Which is incredible

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

I like it when the folks around here say stuff better, and more to the point, than I usually manage!

[Tai Shi]

How is Shikantaza different from sitting there, doing nothing. Just starring at an object in space and something like Insight meditation where you breath combined with an ideal? I hope I getting the idea or no idea.
Gassho
sat/lah
Tai Shi


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[Tai Shi]

I’m capable of looking without judging. Empty mind if that’s okay just sitting while looking not seeing, or seeing not looking. I tried it today and I can do it that without focus on breath.
gassho 2


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[Jundo]

How is Shikantaza different from sitting there, doing nothing. Just starring at an object in space and something like Insight meditation where you breath combined with an ideal? I hope I getting the idea or no idea.

Oh, it is vastly different from just sitting around like a bump on a log, twiddling one's thumbs.

For, in Shikantaza, one sits with a trust deep in the bones that this sitting is a Buddha sitting, not one more thing to do, nothing lacking, no other place one can be, the sitting as all the universe sitting, with radical equanimity that all that is is just as it is.



Gassho, J

STLah

(Trying to be as much "to the point" as Tomas! )

[Shokai]

Looking with a soft focus at a spot, on the wall or floor about three or four feet in front of you, is a far cry from "starring at an object." For Buddha's sake Chuck, stop overthinking everything; it's causing muddle.

合掌
stlah

[Tai Shi]

Shokai, this morning as I sat, I applied your method. Eyes partially open gazing at 45% angle. I will keep doing that while breathing and not thinking of breathing.
Gassho
sat/ lah


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[Shokai]

Sounds great that it's working for you but please do not refer to it as "starring at an object." Soft gazing is a better reference.
Thank you for your practice Charles.

合掌
stlah

[Jundo]

Shokai, this morning as I sat, I applied your method. Eyes partially open gazing at 45% angle. I will keep doing that while breathing and not thinking of breathing.
Gassho
sat/ lah


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But darn it, KEEP BREATHING! Even while not thinking about it.

I have read medical reports that stopping to breathe for more than 3 minutes can be bad for the health!

Gassho, J

STLah

[Tai Shi]

I’m trying to figure out what relationship to equanimity and awareness and liberated way of living life. Is this together with Shikantaza or are we alone? This is important for service?


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[Jundo]

I’m trying to figure out what relationship to equanimity and awareness and liberated way of living life. Is this together with Shikantaza or are we alone? This is important for service?

One can learn deep equanimity, dropping all judgements and disappointments ... even as, from another point of view, one also tries to fix the many things that need fixing in this life and world.

Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree, saw the Morning Star simply shining, nothing to add or take away ... no separation between himself and tree and star ... then got up, and got to work.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shokai]

Taishi;
One doesn't think their way out of a paper bag. Ya just tear the sucker apart !!!!!

合掌
stlah

[Tai Shi]

Wonderful Jundo, with this I have had Aa Ha experiences throughout therapy up until 4 years ago when my therapist said we would only meet every two months for a “checkup.”
Sat/ lah/ Gassho


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[Tomás ESP]

I like it when the folks around here say stuff better, and more to the point, than I usually manage!

Gassho, Tomás
Sat