How to do Shikantaza

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi Enkyo,
Yes, I've had this too a few times. It was like sitting in a sauna during Zazen, even though the room temperature was normal and I was dressed appropriately for the temperature. It last happened to me on a Sesshin with Paul Haller. He told me just to ignore it and it would go away. And that's what happened. But someone at the retreat, someone into yoga, said it was 'kundalini' ... The chi or energy that Jundo mentions above.

To be honest, I followed Haller's advice and didn't pay any more attention to it. I also didn't place any special significance on the kundalini (or whatever you call it!) explanation. And this hasn't happened for a long time.

Jundo asks some good questions here that are worth considering. I've been know to sweat after a particularly hot curry!

Otherwise, as long as there is no pressure on your heart that you're worried about (like over doing it in the sauna), then I'd just ignore it too.

That's just my take.

Thank you for your practice.
Gassho
Myozan

[MyoHo]

Hahahaaha. Don't have any of those heavy robes on. Too much of a burden! Yes, I understand what you say Jundo. We often notice and find out things about ourselves when sitting still, that's is not the case here I think? It's not all the time, sometimes. Like right now it is very hot in Holland and little Enkyo kept it dry while sitting so far .

Oh well, just asking. Not a very big deal anyway, not thinking much of it.

Thank you Jundo

E.

[Kokuu]

A Rinzai book I read once said that Shikantaza should only be practiced for short periods of time as the effort involved in proper practice could raise body temperature and cause sweating. It may just be you are working harder than the rest of us slackers

Tummo has certainly been measured to increase body temperature and I believe there is footage of monks in the Himalaya wearing just a cotton robe and even drying wet towels with their body heat. The technique is very specific, though, and focussed on producing just that result although the physiology involved is still not understood.

Gassho
Andy

[MyoHo]

Thanks Andy. Is that the technique used by some people on youtube when siting naked in the snow for 40 minutes? I always took that for a fake vid. (or lots of vodka like the Russian Ice guy ). I've red somewhere about Indian Swamis living at high altitudes wearing nothing and living in a cave. Always good to know there is still some magic and mystery in this world. So there was a real academic study into this?

Gassho

Enkyo

[Kokuu]

It might be that you have seen or might be fake. gTummo is one of the Six Yogas of Naropa and a widely practiced vajrayana technique in Tibetan Buddhism. I only ever did the preliminary breathing parts and suspect I would be pretty rubbish as a snow melter!

There has been real academic study, though, which Jundo posted too: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2002.../09-tummo.html

Gassho

Andy

[Jishin]

Strong kung fu Sam!

Gassho, John

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[Heion]

I love it! You are becoming much more wise! I like doing Shikantaza while I walk, even though it is opposite to sitting. There is something about it, just enjoying each step on a journey forward with no destination in mind and allowing the sensations to flow in and out. It's a bit philosophical and it is easier to bring into life considering I have to walk around everywhere up here at the music center!

One more week to go and I shall be back in Tallahassee

Gassho,
Alex

P.S. What would lazy sitting be then, if not Shikantaza? I know it is not a beneficial state, but I am just wondering where it would be.

[Neika]

Yup, I love it. Well said.

[lordbd]

RE: Tummo meditation, a great article just came out this year in PlosOne looking into some of the mechanisms for the temperature changes associated with tummo meditation. They used all kinds of high-tech gadgets (EEG etc). The paper has a series of two studies, one with experienced meditators and one with individuals newly learning Tummo. I am happy to email it to anyone who is interested. The conclusions were that 1) the "vase breathing" part of the meditation causes thermogensis on its own, and that 2) the meditative visualization component serves to sustain the temperature increases and to enhance them. Meditation-naive participants were able to fairly readily increase their temperatures within a normal range if memory serves.