Shikantaza or tranquilizing the ego?

Sew.

Gassho, J

Hmmm...Didn't think I'd have to reconsider Jukai, but this exchange makes me think I've made a mistake.

I'll have to let it sit with me a while.....so....

No sewing for now.

Chet

Sew.

Gassho, J

Yes ...

Gassho
Michael

[Jundo]

Sew.

Gassho, J

Just sit. Shikantaza.

But is it sitting and tranquilizing the questioner or sitting and being the questionless question?

I specifically don't mean chasing discursive thought either.

Chet

[Jundo]

Chet, go sew. Everyone, go sew. Sit and sew.

Gassho, J

You ask a lot of questions Chet.

So do I.

Sit.

'nuff said.

Gassho,
Dosho

I did sit. Asking isn't a problem. Expecting an answer that isn't 'just this' is a problem. But 'just this' isn't what the answer is either - not exactly.

Gassho.

Chet

I don't know anyone who sees through their egoism all the time. Some people are trapped most of the time and know nothing else. Others know what seeing through their ego, being free, is like, but still get trapped from time to time. I don't really believe in enlightened people. Sometimes sentient beings are Buddha. Sometimes Buddhas are sentient beings.

And I don't claim to be right, just sharing my thoughts!

Gassho,
/Pontus

I think it's kind of strange - because if you seek to see through your ego, then that becomes a vocation of.....the ego! That is, you can actually get trapped by trying not to get trapped by ego.

And yet, there seems to be a way of being that is radically different than a pursuit....a sort of 'resting within' or better yet, a 'letting-rest-within' - just straight up natural mind.

Chet

[Omoi Otoshi]

Sit.

I tried to tell my dog that, but he kept chasing his damn tail! As if it was in his nature!

Gassho,
Pontus

[Dosho]

You ask a lot of questions Chet.

So do I.

Sit.

'nuff said.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Omoi Otoshi]

Look at a wall. Now look at that which looks at a wall. Now look at that which looks at that which looks at the wall. Now look at........

I dunno. That just makes me dizzy!
It won't tell me who I am.

Gassho,
Pontus

[Omoi Otoshi]

I don't know anyone who sees through their egoism all the time. Some people are trapped most of the time and know nothing else. Others know what seeing through their ego, being free, is like, but still get trapped from time to time. I don't really believe in enlightened people. Sometimes sentient beings are Buddha. Sometimes Buddhas are sentient beings.

And I don't claim to be right, just sharing my thoughts!

Gassho,
/Pontus

Exactly. See through them, see them for what they are, and they are nor so problematic anymore.

Gassho,
Pontus

Right. Who sees through them? You're saying it the only way you can, but it's still not exactly right and as long as you realize it's not exactly right either, then I think Zen is pretty straightforward. Maybe?

Look at a wall. Now look at that which looks at a wall. Now look at that which looks at that which looks at the wall. Now look at........

Chet

[Omoi Otoshi]

Exactly. See through them, see them for what they are, and they are nor so problematic anymore.

Gassho,
Pontus

I don't know if egoic thougthts are a problem. Believing them? Certainly a problem.

Chet

[Omoi Otoshi]

Are egoic impulses impure?

I just don't think Zazen is only for crafting a better personality. That's why I'm always a little suspicious when people say 'Zen helped me ....(anything)'. Not that it doesn't help, but that it isn't for that.

Chet

He he. You're right of course.

In a sense, egotistic thoughts are impure, in analogy with the mirror that needs to be polished constantly. But originally, where can dust alight? The mirror is always pure. Egotistic thoughts are Buddha nature.

Gassho,
Pontus