ED,
The analogy of clear sky with occasional and transitory clouds is a good one.
The traditional zen teaching about how to deal with these 'clouds' while
sitting is to acknowledge them but not dwell on them. The analogy or
story-teaching is: 'when you are occupied doing something important at home
and a friend knocks on your door, you answer the door, acknowledge your friend,
listen to what he has to say but do not invite him in for tea'.
...Bill!
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "ED" <seacrofter001@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill,
>
> I think that you have stated that Shikantaza is sitting with a 'clear
> mind' or in a state of 'mind-less-ness.'
>
> These statements appear to be compatible with the analogy used by two of
> my past Tibetan Buddhist teachers, namely, that the meditative state of
> mind is like a clear blue sky, with a few clouds occasionally floating
> by.
>
> It's a matter of emphasis. The meditator's mind must dwell mainly in and
> on the clear sky state, with clouds paid a subdued notice.
>
> --ED
>
>
>
> --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Bill!" <BillSmart@> wrote:
> >
> > THAT'S what I'm talking about!!!
>
>
> > --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "ED" seacrofter001@ wrote:
> > >
> > > "According to Dôgen Zenji, shikantaza i.e. resting in a state of
> > > brightly alert attention that is free of thoughts, directed to no
> > > object, and attached to no particular contentis the highest or
> > > purest form of zazen, zazen as it was practiced by all the buddhas
> of
> > > the past."
>
------------------------------------
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