Joe,
I think that the ability to enter samadhi strengthens any insight gained from kensho/satori. Without it, awakening is fleeting because any insight is much weaker. Samadhi allows us to experience the mind in its pure state for significant periods of time, rather than just mind-moments. This can then give us a better idea of 'where to be' when outside events threaten to over whelm us. I notice in western Zen that the older, more Buddha-inspired, teachings are looked down on as unnecessary/superflous and the 'Just This!' view is over-emphasized. Could this be a result of the western propensity to want things the easy way? I know people here will probably say that it is easy and it's just selling water by the river (and other too cute by half platitudes), but there were reasons why early Buddhism taught what it taught. Anyone can sit on a sofa and say 'Just This!' - even tho it is Just This! (tip of the hat to Bill!). Mike ________________________________ From: Joe <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, 29 July 2012, 0:27 Subject: [Zen] Re: Chan and zen Mike, Some say no, but that was not my experience, so I assume there are other possibilities depending on who or how we are at any time. Awakening is rare enough, but I think awakening without samadhi beforehand is probably much rarer. At least in the Zen sect. I don't know! --Joe > mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: > > Bill, > > "Simple one pointedness of mind was all that it takes." > > So is samadhi, or at least access concentration (the state of mind just > before entering the first jhana), essential towards awakening?
