Day 9: Nothing to Fix, Nowhere to go- Part 2

 


This is a meditation from the March 2020 issue of Lion's Roar. It is a continuation of yesterday's theme about not fixing what isn't broken.

I wish there was a link to the article by Vanessa Zuisie Goddard, because it is so good. Yesterday we talked about perfection and not fixing. Vanessa Goddard shares the practice at the heart of Soto Zen Buddhism called "just sitting". Hakuun Yasutani Roshi describes it "like sitting in the center of a clearing in the forest, knowing that ultimate danger is about to strike but not knowing what form it will take or from what direction it will come.". In other words, completely relaxed at open attention and extremely focused and aware. No spacing out or that tiger rushing into the clearing could have you for lunch. That kind of "just sitting".

I will share the practice with you as Vanessa Goddard describes it. It might be something to try today. If you like it, I encourage you to explore more about Zen, just sitting and the great perfection.

The Practice:

"First, find a quiet place to sit. Wear comfortable clothing and settle your body in the posture of the seated Buddha, with legs folded under you and spine straight. Zen is usually practiced on a cushion, but if that is not possible for you, sit in a chair with spine straight. Zen in a chair is better than no Zen at all.

"Rest your hands in your lap with your thumbs pressed together lightly, lower your eyes, close your mouth, and breathe naturally.

"Sit solidly and think not-thinking. How? By nonthinking." (If you are confused by that and unsure how to do it, that is the point! Give your mind a problem it cannot solve, like a koan, so that you have no choice but to go deeper than the mind!)

"Most importantly, trust your natural capacity to illuminate what you think is hidden. Trust that what you're seeking, you already are."

How do you know if you are doing this right? Goodard says the point is not to know, not to do and simply sit in open undifferentiated awareness of things as they are. Very Zen. Simple but not easy. This is a practice that can take time to feel semi competent at, and yet offers the rich reward of being able to know life, and self, as it really is without the mind's projections and images.

Zen isn't for everyone but it is something that has the potential to offer profound experiences and benefits, if you are willing. I hope you benefit from this taste of Zen and enjoy your day with new awareness.

Here's to our good health! Keep going!

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