Can enlightenment experiences be trusted?

[Kaibo]

Thanks Kaishin! That's very helpful advice.

Dita
Sat today

[Joyo]

I have to agree with Jishin on this one. There is no enlightenment, even in the midst of enlightenment.

Also, what Kaishin said, fail, get back up....chop wood, carry water, and breathe =)

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Daitetsu]

Hi Dita,

I guess my concern is that Buddhist concepts are based on non-provable personal experiences which I can’t trust.

This is beyond verification or falsification. It just is what it is.
How can you prove that you have remembered something you've had long forgotten?

Don't sit in order to get an "enlightenment experience".
Just sit.
If you try to "get it", you've already lost.

Sitting is beyond any "in order to" - just sit, just sit, just sit.
And in that way, sitting zazen is the most honest thing you can do.
No "hidden agenda", no sitting in order to get fit, wiser, thinner, better, etc.
No sitting in order to entertain yourself, get relaxed, be more effective, etc.

And by giving up everything you get everything.

EDIT:
I have just come across a nice quote by Claude Monet I'd like to add:
"Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand,
as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love"

Gassho,

Daitetsu

#sat2day