Vaj wrote: > This could be #1 in a "Effort in Meditation FAQ". > Vaj - Striving and effort presents an obstacle in TM, Tibetan Dzogchen and the practice of Soto Zen. In fact, striving is counterproductive. According to the Buddha himself, enlightenment cannot be achieved by striving. Here's a quote from a Tibetan Buddhist teacher of Dzogchen, who also seems to indicate that you are mistaken.
Sogyal Rinpoche: What, then, is meditation in Dzogchen? It is simply resting, undistracted, in the View, once it has been introduced. Dudjom Rinpoche describes it: "Meditation consists of being attentive to such a state of Rigpa, free from all mental constructions, whilst remaining fully relaxed, without any distraction or grasping. For it is said that 'Meditation is not striving, but naturally being assimilated into it.'" Source: "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" By Sogyal Rinpoche HarperSanFrancisco, 2002 'Effort required in Buddhist Sadhana' http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/message/133523 Richard Williams wrote: > Shakya the Muni, the historical Buddha, > is reported to have said: > > "I call to mind how when the Sakyan my > father was ploughing, I sat in the cool > shade of the rose-apple tree, remote from > desires and ill conditions, and entered > upon and abode in the First Musing, that > is accompanied by thought directed and > sustained, which is born of solitude, > full of zestful ease. And then I said, > 'Is this the Way to the Wisdom?' And on > that occasion there came to me the > conciousness that follows thought composed, > 'Yes, this is the Way to the Wisdom.'" > > Source: > > M.N. i.242-1
