Mixing Shikantaza with Koan introspection

[Tomás ESP]

In Brad's latest video, when asked in the comments section if he mixed Shikantaza with "a hint of a koan", specifically "what is this" he responded:

"Well... I kinda do that. I'm sure Dogen would've said "NO!" But it's probably not the worst thing to do. Just be sure to let go of any "answers" you find"

I respect his choice, though I don't share his view. But thought it could be a nice segway into what kind of practices do you use as a complement to Shikantaza (if any).

Gassho,
Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Kokuu]

Hi Tomás

Does Brad mean sitting with koans at a different time to Shikantaza, or as part of his Shikantaza practice? I have no problem with the former and a lot of problem if the latter!

It probably comes as no surprise that I supplement my Shikantaza practice with tonglen.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Bion]

Mixing Shikantaza with Koan introspection

Well, if Brad chooses to do that, it’s his call and I feel no need to have an opinion about it.

I don’t really feel I need to add anything extra to shikantaza itself, but I do love the ceremonial side of our tradition as an expression of devotion, dedication, intention and commitment to the way, so I do much of that, from chanting to reciting verses and gathas daily, meal verses before every meal, etc. I think with time, I’ve added a layer of zen practice to many daily activities and life feels harmonious.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Tomás ESP]

Hi Tomás

Does Brad mean sitting with koans at a different time to Shikantaza, or as part of his Shikantaza practice? I have no problem with the former and a lot of problem if the latter!

It probably comes as no surprise that I supplement my Shikantaza practice with tonglen.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

I believe it is the latter. This is the full question to the answer I quoted before:

Brad, any thoughts on mixing shikantaza with a hint of koan. Like just sitting, but dropping in a gentle “what is this?” when the mind wanders. Seems like a three for one, if you also consider that “koan” to be self-inquiry too. Stay great Sir!

Brad seems to be exploring Advaita Vedanta quite a bit, on his channel he comments works by Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, etc. So it is not a surprise that he has incorporated this introspection into his practice.

Lovely sharing Bion, and thank you for practising Tonglen Kokuu.

Gassho,
Tomás
Sat&LaH

[bayamo]

well, me, I "sit" several times a day.. in the early AM, after waking and a shower, I sit 30 minutes shikantaza. At around 9 AM, I sit for 15 minutes with a guided meditation app, usually focused on breath but sometimes it focuses on sounds. On the bus to work, well, call this whatever you want but I focus on how everyone else in there is just like me, going to work or heading home, wanting to be happy, free from worries and suffering, heading back home I listen to the daily meditation on the Sam Harris app, and before bed, 10-15 minutes of shikantaza. It works for me, your mileage may vary.
#sattoday

[Risho]

Well, if Brad chooses to do that, it’s his call and I feel no need to have an opinion about it.

I don’t really feel I need to add anything extra to shikantaza itself, but I do love the ceremonial side of our tradition as an expression of devotion, dedication, intention and commitment to the way, so I do much of that, from chanting to reciting verses and gathas daily, meal verses before every meal, etc. I think with time, I’ve added a layer of zen practice to many daily activities and life feels harmonious.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

well said; I feel the same - practice sort of naturally unfolds into life.

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Doshin]

I sit and I hike (away from other primates) with my dogs. The only koan I contemplate is life..still working on it.

Doshin
St

[Kokuu]

I believe it is the latter. This is the full question to the answer I quoted before:
"Brad, any thoughts on mixing shikantaza with a hint of koan. Like just sitting, but dropping in a gentle “what is this?” when the mind wanders. Seems like a three for one, if you also consider that “koan” to be self-inquiry too. Stay great Sir!"
Brad seems to be exploring Advaita Vedanta quite a bit, on his channel he comments works by Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, etc. So it is not a surprise that he has incorporated this introspection into his practice.

Thank you for the clarification, Tomás.

In addition to being part of Advaita, sitting with something like 'what is this?' is suggested by certain Korean Seon teachers, and there are similar methods used in Mahamudra practice known as 'pointing out instructions'.

When I have read certain passages by Dogen, I feel that they operate for me in a similar way to pointing out instructions in suddenly providing an openness, or as when Zen teachers of old would shout 'Katz!' or similar to shock the mind into blankness and give a glimpse of the open sky of mind.

However, all that said, I do not think that Shikantaza needs this, or is enhanced by it, as we are not trying to view Rigpa or have a particular experience. Brad does Brad, but it is not something I would encourage as it starts to bring in the sense of how things are not being sufficient, which goes against Shikantaza's essence of swallowing everything whole, right here, right now, just as it is.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Tairin]

I like reading Koans and enjoy our study here from the Book of Equanimity but for me it is study just like when we read Realizing Genjokoan or Ecodharma.

I like to keep my practice simple
* Sit Shikantaza Daily
* Follow the Precepts to the best of my ability
* Study a along with Treeleaf
* Otherwise Chop wood and carry water

This is enough


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Jundo]

This is an interesting question.

Of course, in Soto Zen, we do not engage in "Koan Introspection Zazen," focused intently on a phrase or "head word" of a Koan, seeking to pierce its meaning to be presented to Roshi in Dokusan!

HOWEVER, in Dogen's day, as today, thoughts may come and go in Zazen ... a problem in life or the world, the groceries that need purchasing, the baby or our fellow monks. In Dogen's monastery, they would learn from Koans (Koans are a vital part of traditional Soto Zen training, all as shown by the fact that Shobogenzo and Dogen's other recorded teachings are wall-to-wall Koans, Sutra quotes and others classic stories which he was riffing on.) So, naturally, Koan stories would come into a Soto monk's mind just like gun control, war, groceries or babies might come into yours during Zazen.

Of course, we don't intentionally try to think about, ponder or figure out thoughts during Zazen, which we let go, do not tangle with. We allow them to pass through like clouds, or to just be without our intervention. We don't ponder politics, babies, shopping lists or Koans.

HOWEVER, by doing so, a funny thing happens: The wisdom, clarity and light of Zazen shines through whatever passes in the mind, be it gun control, war, shopping, babies or an ancient Koan, and all become clear, known very differently than before.

Thus, it is no surprise to me that a Koan or other issue in the world or life might come into someone's brain during Zazen, and clarity appears. I neither intentionally think about, nor make them stay. I certainly do not cling.

I believe that is what Brad probably meant, because happens to me too.

Gassho, J

STLah

Sorry to run long.