Re: [Zen] Samadhi

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:39:57 -0700 

Mike,

Good question...

No.  When doing shikantaza you are not working on or doing anything - just 
sitting, Just THIS!

When you are working on a koan you are exercising your rational mind, hopefully 
to exhaustion.  When that happens and your rational mind shuts down THEN you 
are doing shikantaza.

As in the case I cited below it is when your rational mind starts up again and 
you come out of shikantaza, realize what just happened you may as I did, 
especially if it is for the first time, have a flood of emotions.

...Bill!

--- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote:
>
> Bill!
> 
> You were working on a koan in shikantaza?
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
>  From: Bill! <BillSmart@...>
> To: [email protected] 
> Sent: Saturday, 4 August 2012, 2:11
> Subject: Re: [Zen] Samadhi
>  
> 
>   
> Mike and JMJM,
> 
> I can tell you when I first experienced Buddha Nature (kensho) while working 
> on the koan Mu I broke down and cried.  I was sitting in the zendo with many 
> others and started sobbing uncontrollably.  Several of the attendant 
> immediately assisted me and took me to another room where I could gather 
> myself; and then I was quickly ushered into dokusan.
> 
> ...Bill!
> 
> --- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@> 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） <chan.jmjm@>
> > To: [email protected] 
> > Cc: Bill! <BillSmart@> 
> > 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
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >>   
> > >> 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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