JMJM, I don't wish to sound like I'm demeaning John's experience, I'm very happy that he finally discovered something of importance to him, but you originally said he did more than just witness this event. Anything more is not shikantaza as I understand it. Sometimes we have to categorise. Shikantaza is not TM or bhakti yoga meditation. There are differences.
Mike ________________________________ From: 覺妙精明 （JMJM） <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 19:35 Subject: Re: [Zen] Samadhi Hi Mike, Thank you, but there is no need to categorize. John was merely grateful that he "finally" witness the description of "love, grace and holy spirit." I am sure John will experience the rest as he continue to purify his body and mind, just like the rest of us. jm On 8/3/2012 10:34 AM, mike brown wrote: >JMJM, > > >I could be wrong, but if your colleague broke down and cried after being >filled with the Holy Ghost, then I think at some point his sitting stopped >being shikantaza, if indeed it ever was. My understanding is that there would >be equanimity, awareness and just simple observation of what was happening if >it was shikantaza. I'm sure one of our more experienced members will clarify >the matter for us. > > >Mike > > > >________________________________ > From: 覺妙精明 （JMJM） <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Cc: Bill! <[email protected]> >Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 16:53 >Subject: Re: [Zen] Samadhi > > > >Yes, That's exactly how one of our practitioner, John Ip, described his >experience. John is a devoted Christian for over 20 years. Last month, he >shared, instead of words words and words, after enhancing his physical state, >the Holy Ghost comes into him and he broke down and cried. He practices in our >Family Meditation program in our community library for about 5 months. Now he >sits longer and longer everyday. > >I told him, "Holy Spirit is called Dharmakaya in Buddhism. Same energy, just different names. And that is just the beginning." > >Many of our practitioners witnesses an "explosion" from their heart chakra. There were no fear. Our Teacher said, "when there is white light from the Heart Chakra, then you have witness Buddha Nature." My sister-in-law witnesses white light every time she sits. She "knows" phenomena of previous generations of other practitioners and helps them to "resolve" many karma. > >As to Mike's statement that he can recognize but can not express is a perfect example that when we surpass our skandhas, or regular senses, we reach a wider state of awareness, far beyond we can describe by words, logic. It is direct, instant and right. > >Some discussions in this forum mixing up the description for the two states, one is limited and the other is wider, and initiated some discussion. Depending on the scope and sensitivity of our awareness, the languages and dictionary are different. Only when we abandon our dictionary; experience; then could we witness the state of being of others. Discussion through words are very dangerous. Thus Chan is without words and transmitted in addition to teaching. > >When someday, whatever people say, we say "ah, yes." without analyzing, debating, defense, then we are truly in each moment and live in sync with the wisdom and life force of the universe. > >Good Day and Thank you for reading this. >_/\_ >JM > > > > > > > >On 8/3/2012 3:24 AM, Bill! wrote: > > >>Mike, >> >>I would describe it as something similar to being filled with the Holy Spirit and giving yourself over COMPLETELY to God's will. >> >>Bill! (not Joe or Bill) >> >>--- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: >>> >>> Joe, >>> >>> How would you describe shikantaza to someone from a religion such as Christianity? >>> >>> Mike >>> >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> From: Joe <desert_woodworker@...> >>> To: [email protected] >>> Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 3:24 >>> Subject: Re: [Zen] Samadhi >>> >>> >>> Â >>> Shikantaza is "just keeping empty". In the Zen sect. >>> >>> I'll say no more! >>> >>> --Joe >>> >>> > >>> >"ED" <seacrofter001@> wrote: >>> > >>> > Mike, >>> > >>> > Is shikantaza insight meditation, absorption meditation or both? >>> >> >> > > >
