Dear list,
The topic of zazen and intention appears from time to time on this list and on others. We have been engaged in a debate on "knowing" vs "not knowing" that is often nothing more than cheap rhetorical tricks. In an effort to add some thoughtful grist for the mill, I came across an interesting article written by Rev. Issho Fujita of the Pioneer Valley Zendo in the February issue of the Dharma Eye published by the Soto Zen International Center. Rev. Fujita says: "In in most other meditation practice,the issues involved take place within the sphere of knowing and from beginning to end, these methods focus on this sphere. In short, the core of the practice is concerned with the regulation and control of conditions in the sphere of knowing. In that sense they are build on "what-is-known-is-everything-ism" and we can see that there is no interest in a dimension of beyond knowing. With regard to this, zazen doesn't ignore the value of knowing, but the main emphasis is put on beyond-knowing which transcends knowing and makes knowing possible. It is precisely for this reason that no matter what happens within the sphere of knowing, it is all right not to deal with such things with your own thoughts and simply entrust yourself to their appearance and disappearance by simply noticing them. In zazen,it is enough to know that such things appear naturally moment to moment within the sphere of knowing. It is not to have the intention of trying to produce some special condition." This beyond-knowing is what the "only don't know" advocates are pointing to. It is this quest to "know" that is the be all and end all or what Rev. Fujita calls "what-is-known-is-everything-ism" that is ultimately futile. It is enough to recognize there is this beyond-knowing, and then to stop the pursuit of every idea that occurs to its ultimate end, and just let these things arise and pass withing your sphere of knowing without an intent to pursue, to know, to have, to hold,to control,to own,to create or to understand. Dogen tells us in the Genjo Koan "there is clearly a limit to our knowing. It isn't possible to grasp the limitless enlightenment of the Buddha by means of our limited knowing. In the Bendowa Dogen states "if perceptions and understanding are mixed in, then it is not the mark of verification." It is this practice of entrusting yourself to the appearance and disappearance of phenomenon in your sphere of knowing, and just noticing them that is the zazen of which Soto Zen speaks. It is this resting of the mind comfortably for a few minutes, without trying to control, create, or know, or hold or understand any particular thing or state,but just noticing what arises in your sphere of knowing that is "just sitting". One might say "well isn't this just sitting and noticing then?"....if one sits down for a few moments one quickly realizes that one cannot help noticing. Noticing is a part of everything we do, one need not intend to notice. It happens naturally, if we only let it and do not try and control what we notice. It is when we no longer try to drive our mind down one particular track that we can begin to see what it naturally is. We can begin to sense what we truly are. There is a drive within all of us to "know"..to have to hold to control. The reality is that none of us can know, hold or control. There are things that will always be beyond our knowing, beyond our ability to gain or hold, or control. One of the things that contributes to our suffering is our desire to have what we cannot have. It makes our current state of being seem small, confused, treacherous. Welcome to the club. It is only when when we think there is another state (one where our life is stable and in control and we know) that this true state of our being seems diminished. We think if we could only be something else...then everything would be better...we chase better jobs, better homes, better thoughts, until we realize that wherever we go ...there we are. Our life keeps arising in the same state. Rather than chase after noble causes, pure thoughts, and intellectual heights of deception, we just might try living our lives as they are..... Small, confused, ignorant, and treacherous. It is after all the only thing that we can really do. The great Zen Master Hakuin painted life as three blind men on a log bridge...holding hands and tapping their way with their staffs across a treacherous bridge. One mistake and splash! This is what he indicated is the true state of our lives. If one focuses on being what one is here and now, and notices everything that arises in our sphere of thought, no matter how petty or small, one begins to live a life free of restriction and suffering, and can be comfortable in whatever arises in this place. We can begin to see the life we live, rather then looking elsewhere for a dream of what could be. The life you are really living is much more satisfying than any dream, even a dream of something better. Here and now is the only place where you can act to change the reality of your life, and the lives of those around you. If you are not paying attention to here and now, it is pretty difficult to make a positive change in anything that matters. Do not sacrifice your chance for comfort and effectiveness for any dream of something better or any imaginary state of being, even an imagined Nirvana. Nirvana is beyond knowing, it cannot be contained in any knowing. If you know about it, what you know is just not accurate. Better not to chase the lie at all. Nirvana is like Cleveland... even if you ever get there you probably will not care that you have arrived. Be Well Fudo ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Would you Help a Child in need? It is easier than you think. Click Here to meet a Child you can help. http://us.click.yahoo.com/0Z9NuA/I_qJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
