el Sexto Patriarca dijo: "Detener la actividad de la mente, sentarse en silencio a meditar... ¡todo eso es una enfermedad, eso no es Zen! Poner el cuerpo bajo control, obligándose a estar sentado durante varias horas... ¿que tiene eso que ver con el Dharma?"
if you notice these monks,who practice this every day for real,only discuss,no mind,not one mentions obe's or the supernatural,its simply a way to put the ego to sleep for awhile and just existing without existing ,there is a gross misunderstanding about what you are seeing here
Your definition of the word mystical and Einstein's ideas about mystery do not change the nature of Zazen.
The word meditation may be used to describe practices found in both Zen and what I've dubbed "New Age Mysticism", but those practices are not the same. The word is the same, the practice is different.
If your meditation includes astral projection and out of body experiences, it is not Zen meditation. Zazen is sitting, that's all. If you have an epiphany, its got nothing to do with zazen.
@DevDeathRay I've just started trying this, i get that you're not supposed to have any kind of outer body experience. But you are supposed to feel extremely calm when you finish right? Like i said i've just started trying this and i felt just really really calm immediately after meditating.
@SPRINGS02 You may feel calm, or you may not feel calm; you may feel anything. You shouldn't think you're "doing it wrong" if you don't feel calm afterwards.
@DevDeathRay Except when entering satori, what is more Zazen is Buddhism Zen. Zen originates in Taoism which is mystical or magic in its own way and in buddhism which aknowledges some mysticism.
1) Is it truly left palm over the right? If so, why? Does it correspond with the legs?
2) If mudra is indeed near to abdomen, near to belly suspending in mid-air, isn't it creating a 'traffic jam' on the 'Chi' energy? And the spine is painful because it's not straight.
3) Shouldn't be it more natural resting the mudra on the laps? The position of mudra (which palm on top) ought to depend on the dominant hand?
In my experience iv seen that the mudra resting on your legs is not a problem it has nothing to do with energy. don't mix zazen with those belief systems zazen and zen is just being with noting special.
Ignorance and intelligence are both perceptions of thought. Reality is a perception and worldview as well. Schooling someone? No one needs to be intelligent. And no one needs to believe you. Using metaphors to prove a point means you can't fit a valid and reasonable defense in the small allowance youtube conveys to you to write your replies, but hey - that's reality! Peace!
'FizzyWodawg", the intention from "dogensangha" when he put this video on internet was probably teach how to meditate correctly bringing the peace for the most number of peoples in the world. Your negative comment isn't very usually. In a halph way, you're right... because sometimes the society are accustomed with the rhythm from the cosmopolitan and capitalist way of life and forget to preserve their serenity inside... is something that go away from your body or your thinks, in cosmic level.
Those of you talking about out of body experiences and astral projection are not understanding the nature of zen meditiation. I'm not sure when zen became intertwined with new age mysticism, but zen is anything but mystical. Nothing happens when you practice zazen. You are just sitting. You aren't entering a trance, or communing with spirits, or looking into your soul. It's just sitting.
@DevDeathRay I have to disagree.... Having no expectations on my practice other than relaxing my mind, I suddenly entered a state of complete bliss that lasted several seconds, it was quite an experience....
Perhaps many people relate this to new age mysticism since it does help achieve things such as OBEs...
furthermore the practice of zazen alone is said to lead to spiritual enlightenment...so I dont think it is "just sitting", it is quite awesome....
@nikiwonoto Does your "soul" actually separate from you body? who knows really?
I am sure that it feels like it does and everything ive experienced indicates that it is real, but there is no way to prove it. All we can do is experience and draw our own conclusions....
Even if you think it is a hallucination, it is amazing and worthwhile so try it and see for yourself.
Yes I do it more or less regularly, it feels VERY real.
@nikiwonoto I've experienced an OBE before. Don't believe me if you do not want to, only believe it if it feels right but I assure you, I would have no reason to try and fool you. I've had it happen, it's 100% real.
@Insanatey man i had an OBE just yesterday, didnt ask it when I found myself fucking floating in front of my computer. That said those are just side effects of my spiritual practice, not really important.
@fntime not to offend you, but I think you never had an OBE. You don't open your eyes, you don't have eyes lol ! And no its not a hallucination, since you can scout around and find out features in RL before you see them. That said, fact is nobody ever got enlightened while astral travelling, its mainly an extra feature ;)
@fntime I stand by my statement as well, the monk, you and I and most people in this time and world are nothing compared to Maudgalyayana who was the 1st of the Buddha's disciples when it comes to supernatural abilities...and a perfect arhat as well. Thinking that psychic abilities limit your reach into enlightenment is just another type of dualism. I meditate with my eyes open by the way, and OBE are real, they are not visions or remote viewing. By the way, you can also look up Tilopa !
@fntime and by the way, the talkative mind, the egoic mind doesnt exist when you're on the ''other side of the mirror'', you're completely there, 100%. Nobody talks, its very eerie. And just so you know, I wasn't after psychic powers when I start meditating, it happened all on its own, and very quickly beside that (less than 6 months of a regular practice). Anyway you don't have to believe me, its ok by me :D
@DevDeathRay Friend, meditation it is sitting without thinking. You, probably like I, can't spend 1 moment of your time without thinking - entering into a choosing and picking mind.
I wouldn't say "Just sitting" although technically yeah, you're just sitting. But for people that would like to know MORE about Zazen, you are simply controling the random chatter of your mind. Clearing all the random stuff that goes on up there in your brain, so you can be without an unclear mind. So yes, we just sit and do nothing, BUT it's much harder than that xD LOL
@GuamKomudo i thought zazen was just dealing with whats going on in your head not trying to clear it or emphasize anything but literally "sitting" with what is
Nooooooo. Zazen is the practice of literally SITTING, not even thinking! The point is to end the random chatter in our minds that go on all day. We see a person talking to themself and say they're crazy. Only difference between us and him is that we keep our random blabbing in our heads. Do this excersise. Sit and ONLY breath in and out. Inhale is 1, exhale is 2. Get to ten without thinking of anything. Only feel your breath. You will soon see, you do not own your mind! It does what it wants!
@85mariapatricia yes, but you don't DEAL with them...just let them come and go. Maybe later, you can deal with them...THE WORK of Byron Katie may be a better way to deal directly with thinking problems.
It's like einstein said, I'm paraphrasing here, " the most beautiful experience is the mysterious".
You couldn't be farther off claiming that zen isn't mystical! I know what you mean but you misused the word mystical in an elemantary way, whereas the word supernatural would fit seamlessly.
Every person who meditates is a mystic to some degree. It is based on introspection and the relation between oneself and the world, if you say that is anything but mystical you are the one who misunderstands the notion of meditation
@DevDeathRay Except when entering satori, what is more Zazen is Buddhism Zen. Zen originates in Taoism which is mystical or magic in its own way and in buddhism which aknowledges some mysticism.
"keeping the spine normally upright, with the head sitting squarely on the top of the vertebral column minimizes the compression of the nerves of these two systems at the points where the nerves emerge through the vertebrae, and ensures an uninterrupted supply of blood, allowing [the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system] to function normally"
@colloredbrothers how come? I do meditate and I always have OBE/AP....do they purposely avoid astral projection? and I always thought mastering AP is kind of the goal of buddhist meditation...
OBE's are not important for enlightenment so they are not regarded as important and most people do not get OBE's, you don't let yourself go to sleep in meditation you are wide awake and active how could you have an OBE with eyes open and concious mind?
I don't know what you mean by obe? Simply seeing the world and floating in it? is this what you mean? Because buddhism is not about this. If however you are able to travel to other realms that is a diffrent story, some people have meditated and could travel into these realms and learn from it speak to desceast buddhas etc...
But this is not the goal of buddhism, this can happen just like psychic powers can happen but they are not important to enlightenment.
I understand that OBE/AP are not important for enlightenment but because AP happens during meditation, I thought Buddhism should discuss this topic. When you meditate right way and go deeper enough, AP always happens to me. That is the end of the road unless I continue to meditate in my astral body during OBE. Buddhism is all about meditation and Astral experience happens during meditation, this should be one of the key topics in Buddhism.
You have a wrong perception about deep meditation, deep meditation does not mean you go into a half sleep state. Again buddhism does talk about this and does acknowledge your experience, search "obe meditation buddhism" on google.
It can be used as a tool but buddhism itself does not at all revolve around these experiences.You should try to find guidance in edgar cayce's writings for the astral world etc... You can perhaps do what he did, it seems you are very receptive.
Not even half lotus posture is possible for me ...I'm not elastic enough to do that ...I just cross my legs as tight as I can, and still I find my legs aslept after 15 min.
@JohnLennon100 try then the awareness of breath meditation which will be much better (observe breath without effort) also do zazen with zafu (google it) more on zen buddhism @ budda101.blogspot.com (gimme thumbs up if the site's good!)
@JohnLennon100 I can only sit quarter lotus now (after buggering my knees up doing half lotus in the past), and find it helpful to use a cushion under the knee. Everyone has to find their own way of sitting, and too much sitting isn't good for everyone. I only sit for 10 min at a time these days, and I also try to leave out the religious aspects these days.
@kanshiketsu1 Thanks ...Lennon wrote a lot of things and said a lot of things that he didn't mean to and that were contradictory. He also said that if he had to take up a religion that would be Buddhism. Regarding the sitting position, I'm able to stick for 25 min, after that I have to let the blood come back to my legs. I also use a Nada Chair, which has been a blessing to cope with that position and back pain.
hey guys, im somewhat new to sotto zen and i was wondering if it matters what time of day i practice because im to busy to do it in the morning so i am now practicing at night.
Weather you practice in the morning, evening, night does not have an affect on the Sotto tradition. You can choose what time is best for you to concentrate. I personally prefer the mornings and the night.
Rome is no detail of History...it is the selective killing off of peoples and hiding of the valid exposed by different cultures. As Adams notes quite properly, Rome and Greece were far better at burning books than writing anything truly expository.
@douglasmacjames No, it means what is stated and is quite clear. - they came to remove all people from the circle of ignorance. Perhaps you are being willingly obtuse?
@abbesieyes you should go outside and ask to the people, most of them will tell you they are ignorant ! Perhaps you are deaf and bling and you live in Nibbana ?
The time spent in the unlearning of conditioning was a nothingness compared to the wealth in all forms that awaited me and that awaits all in Awareness.
If we believe an individual is unworthy OF base time, we believe the individual to be unworthy IN all time...and that is both a great lie, and a great evil.
I know of no valid school that places a time limit on the achievement of Awareness, or upon the attainment of differing levels of wisdom within Awareness, and that is quite proper.
FizzyWodawg is a left handed shaivist. 'leave the ignorant to their ignorance so that we, the enlightened, may ply a trade on their ignorance'. such is the totality of Roman Catholic thought and action, aside from its outright thefts and murdering.
Christ Jesus and Gautama Buddha came to remove all from the circle of ignorance. Therefore all should be exposed to the valid, regardless of the amount of time it takes for self and outward realization.
"Zazen attitude can be called act. Not thought, not perception - but Zazen is action. [...] By practicing Zazen we can experience the universe itself in our body and mind; we can study what the universe is; we can study what reality is; we can study what this world is;, we can study what our life is.
A quote from the greatest zen master: Hui Neng, In the midst of all good and evil, not a thought is aroused in the mind.This is called ZA. Seeing into ones self-nature,not being moved at all,this is called zen. Such a meditation should be practiced at all times and not just during formal sitting.
Fizzy, we are all single cubes. My understanding is NOT superior to another's, just different--like one bobbing head among a row of bobbing heads-- is different from the next. The great joy is in engaging in just bobbing! What more could the mind want!
Zen is not a practice that aims to achieve higher states of consciousness, or experience profound states. If there is 'a point' to it, it's just to sit, with your ordinary mind as it is, and allow whatever happens to happen. You wouldn't wear ear-plugs - so why close your eyes? Do that everyday for a while and your understanding of what a "profound experience" is might shift. You might realize how miraculous the very ordinary is. Or not ;)
One thought on this is that by closing your eyes you close one of your senses to the outside world, and the idea in zazen is to incorporate all of reality. On the more practical side, closing your eyes increases the chance of dozing off or day dreaming. By keeping your eyes partially open you have something visual that helps prevent the mind from wandering. Thus why in most temples you face a wall to prevent distraction. Just one take on the subject anyway.
When you practice zazen, you practice zazen. You don't practice zazen to have some profound experience, you practice it to practice it. When you eat, you eat. When you sleep, you sleep. When you cook, you cook.
@bodhidarma1 One important reason for keeping your eyes open is to prevent you from falling into a dream state of mind instead of the alert/aware state of mind that you should have while doing Zazen. Also, don't do zazen to achieve anything. Don't expect a profound experience. Just do zazen to do zazen. For, if you have some future goal in mind while doing zazen, then you are not aware of the present, are you?
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ALLAH is the only GOD.. THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH and none can be worshiped besides ALLAH. ... follow the Quran and the teachings of ALLAHs Final Messenger muhammad(peace be upon him) AND THIS IS TRUE way TO PARADISE
Very good stuff. Even with limited knowledge of the english language he manages to thoroughly convey the points he's trying to make. I do think the conflicts in the comments about buddhism and such should stop though. We all have our own ideals and philosophies which resonate with ourselves, and if we can find our own way then i belive that's all a religion can ask for. Your own interpretation of life and its purpose, not strict guidelines of preconcieved ideas, let's all just better ourselves
@yupiie It doesn't turn you into a zombie. It does the opposite. It makes your mind much sharper but less prone to stress and emotional distress. It allows you to see things (with the mind's eye) that you could never see before. I am personally just starting to meditate, so I haven't felt the benefits yet.
I am about to embark on a journey to the local temple here in Chicago and look forward to meditating everyday. It's a matter of quieting the mind...and that is my challenge. Good luck to you.
@yupiie Zen master Gudo Nishijima has been meditating for most of his life, he is 80+ years old, the only change there is, is the increase in positive mental health.
It would be best if nobody even responded to drumandrokid's remarks for they are only opinions and opinions dont matter to anyone but himself. Dont respond and he will fade away.
thank you for your gift of unafraid ness by making this video... your lesson was wonderful... as are you... and hey you dont look 80 years old my friend... smiles...
drumandrokid, you need to lighten up and realize what your saying. these men dont help people? they spend their lives practices all those principles that you stated, the fact that they dont clean up the garbage of our society means nothing. they help in everyway they can, and in more ways, bringing people to higher realms of spirituality. i think your just lashing out because deep down you know you could never do what they do. and that scares you a bit.
is this monk more involved in spirituality because he teaches us how to sit down, breath, or live?
how you think zen will contribuite to your society?
isn t a lettuce spiritual because it helps to conquer the so called "enlightening"? is enlightening to be aware?( -read the sanscrit of bodhi,please-)
to be aware of who ?: of yourself or your commitment with society?
and your right, i dont know anything about you, so i appologize for judging you. but as a matter a fact, if people in society were zen, there would be no ego, and no ego mean no conflict. no conflict means no war. meaning peace... i didnt mean to insult you man, but i can't stand by as you cut up these men, because now more then ever we need the wisdom of these men,they understand the value of life, all life and care for the earth, which most people dont
....this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices before u go the bed and a lovely walk in the woods thats all u need to live the real zen.
stop consumin live ways and ideologys u arrogant bored pigs and do something for the crisis of this humanity!!!
not to work on u re own belly button, not to work on your own self conscience ,not to think over your own thought, and not to give yourself airs;
the own arrogant persecution of the self leave the important aside.
to amass money ,to amass knowledge, to amass philosophie, or to amass spirituality are the problems of the ego.
to give yourself to the needy, to work denouncing power abuse,to condem de injustice ,this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices .....
Carl Sagan said, "We are star stuff." and "a way for the cosmos to know itself."
In fact, all the atoms on earth and in our bodies came from supernova that blew up over 5 billion years ago.
Really, aren't we all just walking, talking stardust -- this cosmos become AWAKE and looking it back at itself? -- and aren't we intimately connected to it all?
enjoy the dance.
(And remember, ultimately there is nothing that separates us from all others in this wondrous mystery. Please be kind.)
It's only possible for us to empty our mind when we reach jhana state. It's the samadhi state Buddha talked about all the time. It's samatha meditation.
After achieving samadhi, we can then move on to vipassana meditation where we investigate the dhamma. It's purpose is to realise the truth. Without realising the truth, it's merely knowing, it's a deluded state of mind.
Meditate base on Satipatana Sutta or Anapanasati Sutta. Buddha gave all the meditation instructions in these 2 suttas clearly
Being familiar with Gudo Nishijima's teaching, and practicing his/Dogen's form of (shikantaza) meditation myself, I'd like to suggest that it's pretty impossible to 'empty your mind', so no need to worry about that. Just don't actively follow your thoughts - they'll come and go, whatever.
Also no need to 'watch your breath' - it too will look after itself. Just sit.
That's Gudo's teaching - and we're on his page ;-)
But I do wonder how that works: does a seperate mind observe the mind that's thinking? I can't do that! When I'm lost in thought, there's no seperate 'witness' to what 'I' am thinking. All of me's thinking/lost.
Then, suddenly I notice that I've been thinking and at the same moment the thought stops. And that happens over and over.
And that, for me, is zazen.
That, and keeping alert, upright (straight spine), but relaxed.
did anyone else notice his body is straight but the background is weirdly slanted...
xXxEzWHiTExXx 1 week ago
Rad
therealjohnio 1 month ago
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el Sexto Patriarca dijo: "Detener la actividad de la mente, sentarse en silencio a meditar... ¡todo eso es una enfermedad, eso no es Zen! Poner el cuerpo bajo control, obligándose a estar sentado durante varias horas... ¿que tiene eso que ver con el Dharma?"
SuperOwni 1 month ago in playlist zazen
I've tried the full lotus position, but the blood circulation gets cut off to my legs. It's simply too uncomfortable.
Is there another way to practice zazen?
MusicAmidstTheTrees 2 months ago
@MusicAmidstTheTrees Half lotus. Or you can try in seiza (kneeling).
Ryokushindo 1 month ago in playlist zazen
@MusicAmidstTheTrees Or sit in a chair
000thisone000 1 month ago
In any case, it sure beats sitting around and doing nothing.
TheGreatAndyChow 2 months ago 5
Har Rotas posture is ok.
Hu Rotas posture is hard.
Correct name anyone ?
silmaril555 3 months ago
if you notice these monks,who practice this every day for real,only discuss,no mind,not one mentions obe's or the supernatural,its simply a way to put the ego to sleep for awhile and just existing without existing ,there is a gross misunderstanding about what you are seeing here
scumbag1976 4 months ago
Practicing Zazen - really helps in the daily stress, and letdowns I face in daily life. Besides, I have an inherited heart condition. Does wonders.
evilunixuser1 4 months ago
南無釈迦牟尼仏
caveman590 4 months ago
why i cant sit like this? damn its hard
LumbOfmyGOD 5 months ago
Master Nishijima is great, I have his book "To Meet The Real Dragon", it's brilliant.
jamesejudy3 5 months ago
Boy, people can fight over anything. O.o
elrhiarhodan 5 months ago 3
Your definition of the word mystical and Einstein's ideas about mystery do not change the nature of Zazen.
The word meditation may be used to describe practices found in both Zen and what I've dubbed "New Age Mysticism", but those practices are not the same. The word is the same, the practice is different.
If your meditation includes astral projection and out of body experiences, it is not Zen meditation. Zazen is sitting, that's all. If you have an epiphany, its got nothing to do with zazen.
DevDeathRay 5 months ago 16
@DevDeathRay Sitting is like coming home, nothing more nothing less, I welcome the splinters in my ass.
eazysnerb 4 months ago
@DevDeathRay I've just started trying this, i get that you're not supposed to have any kind of outer body experience. But you are supposed to feel extremely calm when you finish right? Like i said i've just started trying this and i felt just really really calm immediately after meditating.
SPRINGS02 3 months ago
@SPRINGS02 You may feel calm, or you may not feel calm; you may feel anything. You shouldn't think you're "doing it wrong" if you don't feel calm afterwards.
cvarga 3 months ago
@DevDeathRay Except when entering satori, what is more Zazen is Buddhism Zen. Zen originates in Taoism which is mystical or magic in its own way and in buddhism which aknowledges some mysticism.
silmaril555 3 months ago
What about breathing?
heero7yui 7 months ago
@shoshenkis what's an OBE exactly?
ultimata123 7 months ago
@ultimata123 out of body experience, basically astral travelling !
shoshenkis 6 months ago
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Repent&Believe only in Jesus before too late or burn in hell for eternity !!!
Buddhism&Zen is false religion , it's satan's deception.
Read this , Buddha burn in hell forever !!!!
bibleprobe . com/backfromthedead.htm
fuckmania07 7 months ago
Think about these postures:
1) Is it truly left palm over the right? If so, why? Does it correspond with the legs?
2) If mudra is indeed near to abdomen, near to belly suspending in mid-air, isn't it creating a 'traffic jam' on the 'Chi' energy? And the spine is painful because it's not straight.
3) Shouldn't be it more natural resting the mudra on the laps? The position of mudra (which palm on top) ought to depend on the dominant hand?
Can anyone give a proper instruction here?
TheCloudXTraining 7 months ago
@TheCloudXTraining
In my experience iv seen that the mudra resting on your legs is not a problem it has nothing to do with energy. don't mix zazen with those belief systems zazen and zen is just being with noting special.
colloredbrothers 7 months ago
Ignorance and intelligence are both perceptions of thought. Reality is a perception and worldview as well. Schooling someone? No one needs to be intelligent. And no one needs to believe you. Using metaphors to prove a point means you can't fit a valid and reasonable defense in the small allowance youtube conveys to you to write your replies, but hey - that's reality! Peace!
shdw2k6 8 months ago
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NEW'::IPAD2`'`ＦＲＥＥ':;SITES;;`:::
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COPY SITE & PASTE
tujdimax6390 9 months ago
'FizzyWodawg", the intention from "dogensangha" when he put this video on internet was probably teach how to meditate correctly bringing the peace for the most number of peoples in the world. Your negative comment isn't very usually. In a halph way, you're right... because sometimes the society are accustomed with the rhythm from the cosmopolitan and capitalist way of life and forget to preserve their serenity inside... is something that go away from your body or your thinks, in cosmic level.
strangeskeptic 9 months ago
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strangeskeptic 9 months ago
What is he saying: "Just keep the spine straight but..."?
kasuskasus 9 months ago
@kasuskasus "Just keep the spine straight vertically is zazen."
MultiTheTyler 9 months ago
@MultiTheTyler Ah! Thank you!
kasuskasus 9 months ago
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@kasuskasus "Just keep the spine straight is zazen."
MultiTheTyler 9 months ago
Those of you talking about out of body experiences and astral projection are not understanding the nature of zen meditiation. I'm not sure when zen became intertwined with new age mysticism, but zen is anything but mystical. Nothing happens when you practice zazen. You are just sitting. You aren't entering a trance, or communing with spirits, or looking into your soul. It's just sitting.
DevDeathRay 9 months ago 86
@DevDeathRay I have to disagree.... Having no expectations on my practice other than relaxing my mind, I suddenly entered a state of complete bliss that lasted several seconds, it was quite an experience....
Perhaps many people relate this to new age mysticism since it does help achieve things such as OBEs...
furthermore the practice of zazen alone is said to lead to spiritual enlightenment...so I dont think it is "just sitting", it is quite awesome....
Antares0011 8 months ago
@Antares0011 is OBE really exist, or it's just another unproven thing that's created by human's imaginations?
nikiwonoto 8 months ago
@nikiwonoto Does your "soul" actually separate from you body? who knows really?
I am sure that it feels like it does and everything ive experienced indicates that it is real, but there is no way to prove it. All we can do is experience and draw our own conclusions....
Even if you think it is a hallucination, it is amazing and worthwhile so try it and see for yourself.
Yes I do it more or less regularly, it feels VERY real.
Antares0011 8 months ago
@nikiwonoto I've experienced an OBE before. Don't believe me if you do not want to, only believe it if it feels right but I assure you, I would have no reason to try and fool you. I've had it happen, it's 100% real.
Insanatey 8 months ago
@Insanatey man i had an OBE just yesterday, didnt ask it when I found myself fucking floating in front of my computer. That said those are just side effects of my spiritual practice, not really important.
shoshenkis 7 months ago
@shoshenkis They are side effects of the machinations of your mind.
They are phantasms, creations of your mind. It is interesting watching
the activity of the mind, but there is no insight per se!
If you open your eyes, they usually disappear.
fntime 6 months ago
@fntime not to offend you, but I think you never had an OBE. You don't open your eyes, you don't have eyes lol ! And no its not a hallucination, since you can scout around and find out features in RL before you see them. That said, fact is nobody ever got enlightened while astral travelling, its mainly an extra feature ;)
shoshenkis 6 months ago
@shoshenkis I stand by my statement,but thanks for the reply.
I started meditating 13 yrs ago.In the beginning I closed my eyes.
I 'saw' many things.Remote viewing, 2 reincarnations, but no
OBE, because I stopped with 'black magic', I realized I would
wind up like the 'Scorcres Apprentice' and that is not the
purpose of meditation. Searching for answers about what
I 'saw', I read insights from a zen monk and he gave a great
explaination of the 'minds' creations. He recommended
eyes open
fntime 6 months ago
@fntime I stand by my statement as well, the monk, you and I and most people in this time and world are nothing compared to Maudgalyayana who was the 1st of the Buddha's disciples when it comes to supernatural abilities...and a perfect arhat as well. Thinking that psychic abilities limit your reach into enlightenment is just another type of dualism. I meditate with my eyes open by the way, and OBE are real, they are not visions or remote viewing. By the way, you can also look up Tilopa !
shoshenkis 6 months ago
@fntime and by the way, the talkative mind, the egoic mind doesnt exist when you're on the ''other side of the mirror'', you're completely there, 100%. Nobody talks, its very eerie. And just so you know, I wasn't after psychic powers when I start meditating, it happened all on its own, and very quickly beside that (less than 6 months of a regular practice). Anyway you don't have to believe me, its ok by me :D
shoshenkis 6 months ago
@shoshenkis Do you have any sources on youtube, websites or
books. I'll give it a look. Thanks!
fntime 6 months ago
Comment removed
shoshenkis 6 months ago
@fntime I don't have any website, video or book to back up my claim. Sorry :(
shoshenkis 6 months ago
@DevDeathRay Friend, meditation it is sitting without thinking. You, probably like I, can't spend 1 moment of your time without thinking - entering into a choosing and picking mind.
vukan1010 6 months ago
I wouldn't say "Just sitting" although technically yeah, you're just sitting. But for people that would like to know MORE about Zazen, you are simply controling the random chatter of your mind. Clearing all the random stuff that goes on up there in your brain, so you can be without an unclear mind. So yes, we just sit and do nothing, BUT it's much harder than that xD LOL
GuamKomudo 6 months ago
@GuamKomudo i thought zazen was just dealing with whats going on in your head not trying to clear it or emphasize anything but literally "sitting" with what is
85mariapatricia 6 months ago
Nooooooo. Zazen is the practice of literally SITTING, not even thinking! The point is to end the random chatter in our minds that go on all day. We see a person talking to themself and say they're crazy. Only difference between us and him is that we keep our random blabbing in our heads. Do this excersise. Sit and ONLY breath in and out. Inhale is 1, exhale is 2. Get to ten without thinking of anything. Only feel your breath. You will soon see, you do not own your mind! It does what it wants!
GuamKomudo 6 months ago 3
@GuamKomudo That is so true.
Tokagawa89 4 months ago
@85mariapatricia yes, but you don't DEAL with them...just let them come and go. Maybe later, you can deal with them...THE WORK of Byron Katie may be a better way to deal directly with thinking problems.
jhgosnell 5 months ago
@DevDeathRay
"zen is anything but mystical"
It's like einstein said, I'm paraphrasing here, " the most beautiful experience is the mysterious".
You couldn't be farther off claiming that zen isn't mystical! I know what you mean but you misused the word mystical in an elemantary way, whereas the word supernatural would fit seamlessly.
panthamor 5 months ago
Every person who meditates is a mystic to some degree. It is based on introspection and the relation between oneself and the world, if you say that is anything but mystical you are the one who misunderstands the notion of meditation
panthamor 5 months ago
@DevDeathRay well said bro, we just sit, nothing special :)
verydark2 4 months ago
@DevDeathRay Except when entering satori, what is more Zazen is Buddhism Zen. Zen originates in Taoism which is mystical or magic in its own way and in buddhism which aknowledges some mysticism.
silmaril555 3 months ago
@DevDeathRay Mystical Zen is not new age mysticism, but the original essence of Zen. Check Out Dark Zen and the blog the Zennist.
Sonny832 5 days ago
@YouToobGuy2 science has nothing to do with violence.
kriptonis 9 months ago
"keeping the spine normally upright, with the head sitting squarely on the top of the vertebral column minimizes the compression of the nerves of these two systems at the points where the nerves emerge through the vertebrae, and ensures an uninterrupted supply of blood, allowing [the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system] to function normally"
ps: subtitles would be enlightening
ledepotesta 9 months ago
Is it really necessary to have a teacher to be able to reach state of samadhi?
vukan1010 9 months ago
@vukan1010 @ magic mushrooms
ledepotesta 9 months ago
Thank you so much for this! I will be doing my best to share your teachings with my World Religions class tomorrow.
confettiful 10 months ago
how come chakra does not flow through him? i can't see it through my byakugan :D
niranjan808 10 months ago
Thanks to Nishijima-san for taking time out to explain zazen meditation. Much appreciated
kambium1 10 months ago
do you get OBE experience thru this meditation?
websoull 1 year ago
@websoull
no not at all.
colloredbrothers 11 months ago
@colloredbrothers how come? I do meditate and I always have OBE/AP....do they purposely avoid astral projection? and I always thought mastering AP is kind of the goal of buddhist meditation...
websoull 11 months ago
@websoull
OBE's are not important for enlightenment so they are not regarded as important and most people do not get OBE's, you don't let yourself go to sleep in meditation you are wide awake and active how could you have an OBE with eyes open and concious mind?
colloredbrothers 11 months ago
@colloredbrothers ok I am not sure about 'eyes open' part but during OBE you are conscious too...
I got OBE/AP easily and sometimes involuntarily.
Is OBE considered demonic or harmful in buddhism? Do you know any buddhist teachings about OBEs?
websoull 11 months ago
@websoull
I don't know what you mean by obe? Simply seeing the world and floating in it? is this what you mean? Because buddhism is not about this. If however you are able to travel to other realms that is a diffrent story, some people have meditated and could travel into these realms and learn from it speak to desceast buddhas etc...
But this is not the goal of buddhism, this can happen just like psychic powers can happen but they are not important to enlightenment.
colloredbrothers 11 months ago
@colloredbrothers Yes...OBE=Out of Body Experience
I understand that OBE/AP are not important for enlightenment but because AP happens during meditation, I thought Buddhism should discuss this topic. When you meditate right way and go deeper enough, AP always happens to me. That is the end of the road unless I continue to meditate in my astral body during OBE. Buddhism is all about meditation and Astral experience happens during meditation, this should be one of the key topics in Buddhism.
websoull 11 months ago
@colloredbrothers somehow I start to think that this OBE/AP issue is kept secret in Buddhism. Am I wrong?
websoull 11 months ago
@websoull
You have a wrong perception about deep meditation, deep meditation does not mean you go into a half sleep state. Again buddhism does talk about this and does acknowledge your experience, search "obe meditation buddhism" on google.
It can be used as a tool but buddhism itself does not at all revolve around these experiences.You should try to find guidance in edgar cayce's writings for the astral world etc... You can perhaps do what he did, it seems you are very receptive.
colloredbrothers 11 months ago
@colloredbrothers thank you my friend. I am searching your sources. So far i found some very useful information. Thanks again for your help....
websoull 11 months ago
No eyes must stay open
jameswray50 1 year ago
so can we keep our eyes closed during meditation? my kinda close on their own!
youarekool 1 year ago
Not even half lotus posture is possible for me ...I'm not elastic enough to do that ...I just cross my legs as tight as I can, and still I find my legs aslept after 15 min.
JohnLennon100 1 year ago
@JohnLennon100 You maybe able to find a meditation bench. They are not terribly expensive.
asiscoe 1 year ago
@JohnLennon100 try then the awareness of breath meditation which will be much better (observe breath without effort) also do zazen with zafu (google it) more on zen buddhism @ budda101.blogspot.com (gimme thumbs up if the site's good!)
prozi85 1 year ago
@JohnLennon100 I can only sit quarter lotus now (after buggering my knees up doing half lotus in the past), and find it helpful to use a cushion under the knee. Everyone has to find their own way of sitting, and too much sitting isn't good for everyone. I only sit for 10 min at a time these days, and I also try to leave out the religious aspects these days.
"Don't believe in Buddha." - Wonsuponatime
kanshiketsu1 10 months ago
@kanshiketsu1 Thanks ...Lennon wrote a lot of things and said a lot of things that he didn't mean to and that were contradictory. He also said that if he had to take up a religion that would be Buddhism. Regarding the sitting position, I'm able to stick for 25 min, after that I have to let the blood come back to my legs. I also use a Nada Chair, which has been a blessing to cope with that position and back pain.
JohnLennon100 10 months ago
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check out my buddhist blog if u like. it's zen. it's part-polish part-english.
adress is: buddajacek.blogspot.com
prozi85 1 year ago
hes adorable ^_^
simmiesammyssimsamso 1 year ago
Very nice Zen Priest. A great introduction. Thanks for uploading.
FantasticArts95 1 year ago
hey guys, im somewhat new to sotto zen and i was wondering if it matters what time of day i practice because im to busy to do it in the morning so i am now practicing at night.
kingturdnugget 1 year ago
@kingturdnugget
Weather you practice in the morning, evening, night does not have an affect on the Sotto tradition. You can choose what time is best for you to concentrate. I personally prefer the mornings and the night.
May you be happy,
may you attain Nirvana.
FantasticArts95 1 year ago
Nietzsche, not a philosopher at all. A sophist in the pay of Rome.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
@abbesieyes are you crasy ?
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
Dougie...you don't write 'Fate'. Nor do you understand its basis.
How does it feel to be born of that which lost at Rama Setu? Rama Setu to 'Egypt' to Roma.
The last 'thing' to wear a triregnum was killed by an avatar of God.
I'm no brahman woman for your pyre...and I will leave the earth at Gods pleasure, not yours.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
Rome is no detail of History...it is the selective killing off of peoples and hiding of the valid exposed by different cultures. As Adams notes quite properly, Rome and Greece were far better at burning books than writing anything truly expository.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
@abbesieyes amor fati !
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
I'm not a budhhist...nor was the Budhha. I'm not a Christian (by the common understanding), nor was Christ Jesus (nor was he even a jew).
Vedanta and Zen...all one needs, free of a priesthood. Awareness, being quite real, can never be propaganda.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
douglasmacjames...an RC thrall on googles conditioningtube. Hitler...an RC thrall as well.
A very large difference between Awareness and the Propaganda Tres that currently aids Ignorance.
Awareness combats all general Ignorance. It does not, however, imply that a man may know specifics of trades outside of his usual practice.
The parambulations of Rome attempting to impede the innevitable...too funny.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
@abbesieyes budhism is propaganda ! awareness is propaganda ! it comes from Self too...smile !
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
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@douglasmacjames can you please elaborate on: quote "budhism is propaganda ! awareness is propaganda ! it comes from Self too...smile !"?
TheFrozenLord 1 year ago
@abbesieyes can you unlearn jesus and buddha in 9 years more ?
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
@abbesieyes Buddha is like Rome, a detail of History ! his time is coming too...
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
@douglasmacjames No, it means what is stated and is quite clear. - they came to remove all people from the circle of ignorance. Perhaps you are being willingly obtuse?
abbesieyes 1 year ago
@abbesieyes you should go outside and ask to the people, most of them will tell you they are ignorant ! Perhaps you are deaf and bling and you live in Nibbana ?
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
@abbesieyes Hitler too came to remove all people from ignorance !
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
The time spent in the unlearning of conditioning was a nothingness compared to the wealth in all forms that awaited me and that awaits all in Awareness.
If we believe an individual is unworthy OF base time, we believe the individual to be unworthy IN all time...and that is both a great lie, and a great evil.
I know of no valid school that places a time limit on the achievement of Awareness, or upon the attainment of differing levels of wisdom within Awareness, and that is quite proper.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
FizzyWodawg is a left handed shaivist. 'leave the ignorant to their ignorance so that we, the enlightened, may ply a trade on their ignorance'. such is the totality of Roman Catholic thought and action, aside from its outright thefts and murdering.
Christ Jesus and Gautama Buddha came to remove all from the circle of ignorance. Therefore all should be exposed to the valid, regardless of the amount of time it takes for self and outward realization.
I spent 9 years unlearning 36 years.
abbesieyes 1 year ago
@abbesieyes looool, jesus and gautama came to remove all from the circle of ignorance ? you mean they came to make people ignorant i suppose !
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
So when do i start shooting lazer beams?
bezerka 1 year ago
this man explains to much !
douglasmacjames 1 year ago
Thank you. This is beautiful. I am grateful for it.
artemis133 1 year ago
"Zazen is gymnastics without motion."
I love this line... amusing yet true.
"Zazen attitude can be called act. Not thought, not perception - but Zazen is action. [...] By practicing Zazen we can experience the universe itself in our body and mind; we can study what the universe is; we can study what reality is; we can study what this world is;, we can study what our life is.
nordicpower88 1 year ago 2
does anything happen in zazen or is it another fake path.
BluePittbull666 1 year ago
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@BluePittbull666 Why don't you try it and find out?
nordicpower88 1 year ago
@BluePittbull666 Zazen happens, which is the point.
Cheers
sfcx92 1 year ago
how do you get a computer and video camera
method190 1 year ago
Wow, this is so beautiful. You brought me great joy today.
eoptravel 1 year ago
drumandrokid is also Buddha. He/she just has not come to understand that yet. But-how many of us have?
catmitsu 1 year ago 7
Was it taken from a DVD? If so, can you please give me more informations.
Ryokushindo 1 year ago
@Ryokushindo lol wasnt that enough? that was gold from an oldass man appreciate it.
Zarat818 1 year ago
@Zarat818 I think its obvious that I do appreciate it, that's why i'm asking more information about it so that I can buy it if its on DVD.
Ryokushindo 1 year ago
A quote from the greatest zen master: Hui Neng, In the midst of all good and evil, not a thought is aroused in the mind.This is called ZA. Seeing into ones self-nature,not being moved at all,this is called zen. Such a meditation should be practiced at all times and not just during formal sitting.
blazeryin 1 year ago
@blazeryin excellent
bodunchar 1 year ago
Wonderful, this is youtube at its best. Thank you dogensangha for posting this video.
nitojo7 1 year ago
i am looking for the way, and simplicity of my life, thank you for your time and patience in helping me learn the zen way,
barrub1 1 year ago
Zen has improved my outlook on life. I am going to continue to learn.
artfan101 1 year ago
A great venerable teacher! What a fantastic, clear instruction.
TibetKanagawa 1 year ago
Fizzy, we are all single cubes. My understanding is NOT superior to another's, just different--like one bobbing head among a row of bobbing heads-- is different from the next. The great joy is in engaging in just bobbing! What more could the mind want!
cieobt2 1 year ago
My one hangup about this is meditating with open eyes. I don't know if I can have as profound an experience with my eyes being open.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
bodhidarma1 1 year ago
Hi bodhidarma1 -
I do have a thought...
Zen is not a practice that aims to achieve higher states of consciousness, or experience profound states. If there is 'a point' to it, it's just to sit, with your ordinary mind as it is, and allow whatever happens to happen. You wouldn't wear ear-plugs - so why close your eyes? Do that everyday for a while and your understanding of what a "profound experience" is might shift. You might realize how miraculous the very ordinary is. Or not ;)
hceggeberth 1 year ago
@bodhidarma1
One thought on this is that by closing your eyes you close one of your senses to the outside world, and the idea in zazen is to incorporate all of reality. On the more practical side, closing your eyes increases the chance of dozing off or day dreaming. By keeping your eyes partially open you have something visual that helps prevent the mind from wandering. Thus why in most temples you face a wall to prevent distraction. Just one take on the subject anyway.
Tsumanne 1 year ago
@bodhidarma1
When you practice zazen, you practice zazen. You don't practice zazen to have some profound experience, you practice it to practice it. When you eat, you eat. When you sleep, you sleep. When you cook, you cook.
Fuhjem 1 year ago
@bodhidarma1 One important reason for keeping your eyes open is to prevent you from falling into a dream state of mind instead of the alert/aware state of mind that you should have while doing Zazen. Also, don't do zazen to achieve anything. Don't expect a profound experience. Just do zazen to do zazen. For, if you have some future goal in mind while doing zazen, then you are not aware of the present, are you?
pgeske 1 year ago
there is only one god. the name doesn't matter. There are several pads, and they lead to the same final goal : peace, love and freedom.
LOVE IS MY RELIGION.
schirmannpx 1 year ago
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ALLAH is the only GOD.. THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH and none can be worshiped besides ALLAH. ... follow the Quran and the teachings of ALLAHs Final Messenger muhammad(peace be upon him) AND THIS IS TRUE way TO PARADISE
az101 1 year ago
@az101
How can you be sure of this?
MountAnalogue 1 year ago
@MountAnalogue I read the Quran .
az101 1 year ago
@az101
And how can you be sure the Qur'an is correct?
MountAnalogue 1 year ago
I just saw the video and I'm really thinking about studying buddhism, wow, finally i found something valuable in youtube.
Isdoyra 1 year ago
Very good stuff. Even with limited knowledge of the english language he manages to thoroughly convey the points he's trying to make. I do think the conflicts in the comments about buddhism and such should stop though. We all have our own ideals and philosophies which resonate with ourselves, and if we can find our own way then i belive that's all a religion can ask for. Your own interpretation of life and its purpose, not strict guidelines of preconcieved ideas, let's all just better ourselves
shinobiBUNK 1 year ago
@shinobiBUNK I think his English is grammatically perfect =)
heero7yui 1 year ago
Is this the Zen master that Ed Warner is a student of?
satsuma12 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this video! It was very instructive and autentic :D
xxZombieKittyxx 1 year ago
Can someone tell me if it´s healthy to meditate a lot, I mean, if we are not becoming zombie-like or anything?
yupiie 1 year ago
It is healthy- the reason is it relieves stress, which blocks your immune system.
saitouhajime3 1 year ago
@yupiie It doesn't turn you into a zombie. It does the opposite. It makes your mind much sharper but less prone to stress and emotional distress. It allows you to see things (with the mind's eye) that you could never see before. I am personally just starting to meditate, so I haven't felt the benefits yet.
RegistrationCop 1 year ago 6
@yupiie
I am about to embark on a journey to the local temple here in Chicago and look forward to meditating everyday. It's a matter of quieting the mind...and that is my challenge. Good luck to you.
bega211 1 year ago
@yupiie Zen master Gudo Nishijima has been meditating for most of his life, he is 80+ years old, the only change there is, is the increase in positive mental health.
dovey0 1 year ago
You talk a lot
Day 1
Sit down and think of nothing for 1 days
ophef 1 year ago
Day 2
Go back down and think about everything you come in for 1 days
ophef 1 year ago
Day 3
Now sit
ophef 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Day 4
go to Toilet and piss slow
Day 5
Satori
Day 6
Toilet Work
Day 7
End of YOU
BigBuddha3 1 year ago
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Hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah
@BigBuddha3 dag 8, het begin van de opluchting.
Dag 9, beheersen.
Dag 10, verlicht.
Dag 11, dag jij.
ophef 1 year ago
Hahahahahahaahahahaahahahahahahahah
@BigBuddha3 Tag 8, der Anfang des Reliefs.
9. Tag der Kontrolle.
Tag 10, lit.
Tag 11 Sie Tag.
ophef 1 year ago
Day 12
Gypsy Peopel have a Country
Day 13
Satori
Day 14
Toilet Work
Day 15
End of YOU!
ahahahahaahahahaah
wazzup ZEN BRO ;-D
Sosiko3 1 year ago
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Day: one
The world is my country.
No cradle, no grave, but the music!
Until the end.
As Satori born.
Your terminal.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI
HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO ;-)
ophef 1 year ago
It would be best if nobody even responded to drumandrokid's remarks for they are only opinions and opinions dont matter to anyone but himself. Dont respond and he will fade away.
MrAikidoka53 1 year ago 4
I'm not meaning any offence..but anyone else finds the accent adorable! :)..'Rotus' posture.
heero7yui 1 year ago
dude you just made me laugh so hard :D
you reminded me of team america ''heerrrooo''
:D
great vid btw
craggydodaggy 1 year ago
thank you for your gift of unafraid ness by making this video... your lesson was wonderful... as are you... and hey you dont look 80 years old my friend... smiles...
BigBraLover 2 years ago
Modernity scares me.
EduardoBrasil10000 2 years ago
Hi drumandrokid -
May I suggest - -
If your understanding of Buddhism is in conflict with someone else's, try not to insult them, question their intelligence or dismiss them.
Arrogance and harsh speech rarely produce useful results. Honesty - yes. Insults and assumptions - no.
This is youtube in the 20th century, not medieval Japan - and you're not Rinzai ;-)
hceggeberth 2 years ago 48
Er...that's the 21st century.
hceggeberth 2 years ago 3
@hceggeberth thoughtless thought. thats what a good man once told me.
siloheaven 1 year ago
drumandrokid, you need to lighten up and realize what your saying. these men dont help people? they spend their lives practices all those principles that you stated, the fact that they dont clean up the garbage of our society means nothing. they help in everyway they can, and in more ways, bringing people to higher realms of spirituality. i think your just lashing out because deep down you know you could never do what they do. and that scares you a bit.
choclatecremepie 2 years ago
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@choclatecremepie
is this monk more involved in spirituality because he teaches us how to sit down, breath, or live?
how you think zen will contribuite to your society?
isn t a lettuce spiritual because it helps to conquer the so called "enlightening"? is enlightening to be aware?( -read the sanscrit of bodhi,please-)
to be aware of who ?: of yourself or your commitment with society?
..what to conquer?
enlightening?
jajajaja
good luck the search!
drumandrokid 2 years ago
did i say anything about obama or weed?
and your right, i dont know anything about you, so i appologize for judging you. but as a matter a fact, if people in society were zen, there would be no ego, and no ego mean no conflict. no conflict means no war. meaning peace... i didnt mean to insult you man, but i can't stand by as you cut up these men, because now more then ever we need the wisdom of these men,they understand the value of life, all life and care for the earth, which most people dont
choclatecremepie 2 years ago
Comment removed
drumandrokid 2 years ago
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@choclatecremepie
higher realms of spirituality,,??
if I had wanted to have a higher realm of spirituality the last place I go it would be a monastery neither to ask Thich Nath Hanh or whoever!!
p.d: dont wait another answer I said all I had to .and I got better things to do ;I hope to have contribuite already here to u or whoever.
drumandrokid 2 years ago
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....this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices before u go the bed and a lovely walk in the woods thats all u need to live the real zen.
stop consumin live ways and ideologys u arrogant bored pigs and do something for the crisis of this humanity!!!
with love ,calm and cooperation:
another involved zen practicing
drumandrokid 2 years ago
Hi drumandrokid -
"u arrogant bored pigs" ?
HA!
Not too much "love, calm, cooperation" or care for "this humanity" there, I fear.
Perhaps it was a joke? Hmm...
hceggeberth 2 years ago
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not to work on u re own belly button, not to work on your own self conscience ,not to think over your own thought, and not to give yourself airs;
the own arrogant persecution of the self leave the important aside.
to amass money ,to amass knowledge, to amass philosophie, or to amass spirituality are the problems of the ego.
to give yourself to the needy, to work denouncing power abuse,to condem de injustice ,this is real zen.and with this and a few stretching exercices .....
drumandrokid 2 years ago
Carl Sagan said, "We are star stuff." and "a way for the cosmos to know itself."
In fact, all the atoms on earth and in our bodies came from supernova that blew up over 5 billion years ago.
Really, aren't we all just walking, talking stardust -- this cosmos become AWAKE and looking it back at itself? -- and aren't we intimately connected to it all?
enjoy the dance.
(And remember, ultimately there is nothing that separates us from all others in this wondrous mystery. Please be kind.)
goog2k 2 years ago 3
It's only possible for us to empty our mind when we reach jhana state. It's the samadhi state Buddha talked about all the time. It's samatha meditation.
After achieving samadhi, we can then move on to vipassana meditation where we investigate the dhamma. It's purpose is to realise the truth. Without realising the truth, it's merely knowing, it's a deluded state of mind.
Meditate base on Satipatana Sutta or Anapanasati Sutta. Buddha gave all the meditation instructions in these 2 suttas clearly
impermanentoo 2 years ago
Hi JustSpectre -
"Just empty your mind and watch your breath"
Being familiar with Gudo Nishijima's teaching, and practicing his/Dogen's form of (shikantaza) meditation myself, I'd like to suggest that it's pretty impossible to 'empty your mind', so no need to worry about that. Just don't actively follow your thoughts - they'll come and go, whatever.
Also no need to 'watch your breath' - it too will look after itself. Just sit.
That's Gudo's teaching - and we're on his page ;-)
hceggeberth 2 years ago
@hceggeberth The secret is to observe your thoughts =)
That works for me.
mattiasbrand 2 years ago
Hi mattiasbrand -
If it works for you, that's all that matters.
But I do wonder how that works: does a seperate mind observe the mind that's thinking? I can't do that! When I'm lost in thought, there's no seperate 'witness' to what 'I' am thinking. All of me's thinking/lost.
Then, suddenly I notice that I've been thinking and at the same moment the thought stops. And that happens over and over.
And that, for me, is zazen.
That, and keeping alert, upright (straight spine), but relaxed.
hceggeberth 2 years ago
...but perhaps you mean the same thing by "observe" as as I do by "notice"?
- I know