Mike,

You are right that "...being overwhelmed emotionally..." and shikantaza are 
absolutely not the same things.  I still think the closest Christian equivalent 
to shikantaza I know of would silent communion with God which is usually 
thought of as being filled with the Holy Ghost.  Now, when you experience this 
the first time, just as when you become aware of Buddha Nature for the first 
time, there certainly can be a lot of both emotional and physical reactions.

Shikantaza, however, is 'just sitting' - at one with Buddha Nature or 'filled 
with the Holy Spirit' and nothing more.

IMO...Bill!   

--- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote:
>
> Kris,
> 
> I know absolutely sweet f.a about Christianity, never mind Christian forms of 
> meditation, so I'll accept what you say about grace, being open and 'just 
> this'. I would still, however, argue that being overwhelmed emotionally at 
> feeling like you are being filled with the Holy Ghost, or whatever else, is 
> not observing with equanimity and is therefore not shikantaza. If I sit down 
> to practice shikantaza and I have a feeling that my dead grandmother is with 
> me, is it still shikantaza if I feel overwhelmed and start bawling my eyes 
> out? Or does Jesus get a free pass?
> 
> Mike  
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
>  From: Kristopher Grey <kris@...>
> To: [email protected] 
> Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 19:33
> Subject: Re: [Zen] Samadhi
>  
> 
>   
> 'Grace' - symbolized by the intersection of the cross. The non-point 
> appearing to rest on the horizon between heaven and earth, where from both 
> spring from... Just this...
> 
> There are Christian meditative practices...  though not
>       taught/practiced by the consumer Christians. Prayer, real prayer
>       not asking for magic favors, it is a form of meditation. Like
>       other meditation, some prayers have a focus, some do not. A
>       completely open prayer - openess to what is/will be - simply being
>       - is this not also 'shikantaza'?
> 
> Look past the differences, and there is only this.
> 
> KG
> 
> 
> On 8/3/2012 6:24 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
> >> 
> >> 
> >>   
> >> 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?
> >>
> >
> >
>



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