Zazen - The Most Authentic Practice
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- Опубліковано 10 жов 2021
- Abbot Shohaku Okumura describes the sitting meditation practice of Zazen as "good for nothing."
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As we solitarily and collectively claim the force of a relevant contemporary mythos, we are delivered to the possibility of life-lived-in-depth, the possibility of authentic life. This is the path beneath the surface.
The Transformative Encounter: The Practice of Contemplation
In the current age this transformative encounter, as well as the practices that deliver us to this encounter and the personal connection that flows from this encounter, is seldom the focus of our lives. Many of us wander disoriented through life, often on a self-destructive path, in a world seen, understood, and measured primarily by the external environment. We are disconnected from the Connecting Myth. We are disconnected from the interior depth to which the Connecting Myth might deliver us. Ironically, we have come to understand myth as a lie rather than a symbolic and metaphoric gateway to a deeper truth.
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Perfect. Zazen, like many other practices is good for nothing.... Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows.....
Erebus, may we all learn to practice the practices that allow the spring to come and the grass to grow! We are grateful for your comment and that you have discovered this special and unique UA-cam channel. We hope you will return often. Please consider a sustained encounter with the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for the contemporary contemplative practitioner. You will discover this dynamic profoundly in Life Journey #7 - The Ultimate Journey. Check it out and keep in touch!
GO Deep!
......such a brilliant man with a clear mind.
Jogen, thank you for this confirmation. More extraordinary guidance is available from Abbot Okumura and other distinguished practitioners in the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. Check it out. GO Deep!
Awesome description!! I love Abbott Okamura's teaching style!!
RenZen 71, there is more where this came from. On July 14, 2022 the most-recent, complete interview with Abbot Okumura will be released on this channel.
We are grateful you discovered this channel. We hope you will return often and share your comments freely. There are many videos on this channel. The core teaching is presented in the “Life Journeys” series (check out the Playlists: 49 short videos in this series have been released to date). The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, and many others from the East and the West. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with “The Presence.” ua-cam.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/v-deo.html. This sequential contemporary contemplative practitioner journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. We know of no stronger existing guided material to nurture a deep journey in today’s world; for a beginning seeker or a master. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link for the next sequential art form. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
If you wish to grasp the underlying intent of these cinematic art forms consider this short practical context: ua-cam.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/v-deo.html GO Deep!
Quite often a cigar is just a cigar and quite often there is nothing which actually needs to be delved into, scrutinized into read into very deeply.This in a sense seems to be the meaning of Zen.Alot of the time scrutinizing,reading into and delving deeply just winds up driving you crazy and does not really help anything.
Gary, we are grateful for your insightful contribution to this discussion. Thank you! Based on your comment, we have just surveyed our very-crazy staff and have come to the conclusion that a cigar, properly encountered, is not a cigar at all, but just a bunch of smoke! May we all find our way beyond the cigar and into the smoke! In fact, check out the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. GO Deep!
You have just accurately described the majority of my entire adult life. 😂😢
🙏🏻 fellow practitioner. Thank you for the wonderful Dharma. In Gassho, Nikko Hogetsu
Nikko, we are grateful to practice with you. We are grateful for your presence on this channel and to once again receive such affirmation.
GO Deep! 🙏
I love those videos. Truly. Thank you!
Janine, and we love your presence on this special channel. Thank you for this affirmation. We hope you will return often. There is lots more to explore. Please continue to review the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. GO Deep!
Amazing explanation. I love it.
Mirza, Thank you for this kind affirmation. We are grateful you have discovered this channel. There is much more to encounter here. We hope you will return often and share your Comments freely. There are many videos on this channel. The core teaching is presented in the “Life Journeys” series (check out the Playlists - 49 short videos in this series have been released to date). The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura and Sister Joan Chittister. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with “The Presence.” ua-cam.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/v-deo.html. This sequential contemporary contemplative practitioner journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. We know of no stronger existing guided material to nurture a deep journey in today’s world; for a beginning seeker or a master. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link for the next sequential art form. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
If you wish to grasp the underlying intent of these cinematic art forms consider this short practical context: ua-cam.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/v-deo.html
GO Deep!
What a bliss just to listen to this wonderfull human being ...
Jann, thank you for this affirmation. There is a lot more bliss available! We are grateful you have discovered this special channel and hope you will return often. The voice and message of Shohaku Okumura is one of the many gifts you will experience here. Please consider a sustained encounter with The Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for the contemporary contemplative practitioner. You will discover this dynamic profoundly in Life Journey #7 - The Ultimate Journey. Check it out and keep in touch! GO Deep!
Thank you. This is it. This is the path I've been looking for
Alexis, we are very grateful you found this so helpful. “Breakthroughs” on the journey of consciousness happen in many surprising ways and are often delivered from unexpected sources. This channel provides a resource for many of us.
One nurturing practice you may wish to consider is establishing a regular practice of going through the “Life Journey” series in sequence, one-at-a-time, on some regular schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). Many people are finding this helpful solitarily or to share with a friend or group discussion. The series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, Kaira Jewel Lingo, Adam Bucko, and many others: East and West. All background music is provided by the cellist who opened for the Dalai Lama prior to many teaching all over the world.
If you post a Comment at the end of a segment, someone from the staff will always respond and other people around the world can be helped by your reflection.
The journey begins with an awareness of “The Presence.” ua-cam.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/v-deo.html. A sequential journey ensues.
The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link to the next sequential station.
Here is a link to a short context for the “Life Journeys” series: ua-cam.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/v-deo.html
Keep in touch.
GO Deep!
Don't forget, when you find your way to the other shore, you don't need the map anymore. Let it go, you'll appreciate the free hand.
After experiencing, one wanders in West for words. SFZC et al profit off such curiosity. Master Dōgen warns us of this very concept in Bendowa. The Shobogenzo will teach the prajna with Zazen, and pure teachers like this will promote experience of real wisdom: body and mind ❤
AFellowNoSelf, thank you for this reflection. We are grateful you found your way to this special channel which is home for many pure teachers and real wisdom. We hope you will return often. Please continue to explore the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. GO Deep!
This is how i became a buddhist monk, by steadily increasing the amount of timeout i had as a kid. I'm sorry 😂.
MrStefanuzumaki, yes! We all need more “timeout!” In fact, the entire global village today needs to enter “timeout!”
As a Buddhist monk, you may appreciate the contemporary practice available on this channel.
If you wish to adopt a regular practice of exploring a deep personal journey within this 21st Century global village we share, consider the sequential steps of the “Life Journeys” series you can discover in the Playlists on this channel. We know of no more important practice for humanity today than re-connecting with the universal Deep Place and allowing this connection to modulate our thinking and action. Our world needs contemporary contemplative practitioners.
We are grateful you discovered this channel. We hope you will return often and share your comments freely. The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, and many others from the East and the West. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. Think of each module (Station) as a component of daily practice or study like a foundational dharma talk or contemplative catechism.
To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with “The Presence.” ua-cam.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/v-deo.html. This sequential journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. We know of no stronger existing guided material to nurture a deep journey in today’s world; for a beginning seeker or a master. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link to the next sequential station. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
Here is a link to a short context that will help you understand the “Life Journeys” series: ua-cam.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/v-deo.html GO Deep!
Timeout makes good boys
@@Interiormythosdude says he’s already a Buddhist monk. Maybe you should be taking lessons in talking less from him!
Ha!💕
shinji, ha, ha! Thank you!
We are grateful you discovered this channel. We hope you will return often and share your comments freely.
If you wish to adopt a regular practice of exploring a deep personal journey within this 21st Century global village we share, consider the sequential steps of the “Life Journeys” series you can discover in the Playlists on this channel. We know of no more important practice for humanity today than re-connecting with the universal Deep Place and allowing this connection to modulate our thinking and action. This material can nurture the beginning seeker or the well-practiced master. Our world needs contemporary contemplative practitioners.
The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, and many others from the East and the West. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. Think of each module (Station) as a component of daily practice or study like a foundational dharma talk or contemplative catechism.
To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day, or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with an awareness of “The Presence.” ua-cam.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/v-deo.html. This sequential journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link to the next sequential station. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
Here is a link to a short context that will help you understand the “Life Journeys” series: ua-cam.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/v-deo.html GO Deep!
Is it ok to keep the eyes closed during the meditation?
Willy, thank you for this excellent question. Yes, of course we can keep our eyes closed during meditation. To close one’s eyes is to block out the visual and the visible and potentially enter the deeper realm of the interior and the invisible. In many situations this can be helpful and necessary; just as when one goes to sleep. The Dalai Lama has stated that sleep is the perfect form of meditation! Likewise, as illuminated in some of these videos, the practice of keeping one’s eyes open and “staying awake” can also be of great value in that this posture mimics the encounter with real daily life which we all get to face and which, hopefully, we can bring forth some of the fruits of our quiet sitting and meditation. Our recommendation is to throw out the absolutes (at least most of them) and explore what works for you in any given situation to nurture deep connection. These questions and practices are explored further in the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. GO Deep!
@@Interiormythos Thank-you for your thoughtful answer. I have been a spiritual seeker for decades and still have awhile to go. I am interested in gaining inner peace and having a better understanding of what this life is about. Also interested in maybe finding an online community to associate with. Thank-you.
@@WillyEast This mindset that you state is the " correct" mindset. That is the " beginners mind". Don`t alter your mind, or try to " judge" the mind. Your next move is to start the meditation. Focus on sitting. And not to " sit perfect". The important part is to " do the work". Make it as " simplistic" and " minimalistic" as possible. Just you " observing" your mind. Just let the thoughts and emotions pass by in your mind like " clouds" in the sky. That is the " wandering mind". To get as you say " inner peace", is to realise the truth of intelligence and life. That life is in it`s nature in constant change ( Impermanence). And that this change is 100% out of our control. And that we are a part of that change. When you do your meditation you will see that your mind is in constant change. In the beginning this can be terrifying. But as you keep doing your meditation. You will gradually learn to accept that this nature/the universe " as it is". That is the only " constant" in the universe is " change".
@@Ikaros23 Thank-you for your detailed reply. It is a long journey and I am at the beginning.
@@WillyEast In reality at the moment you start your meditation. You have done it. There is nothing more to it. The hard part is to keep it simple OVER TIME. And not to make it into something it is not. Start with doing your meditation for 5-10 minutes with a timer. In the beginning that is enough. Over time you can extent your meditation in the same way as any other exercise. Meditation is a " skill", it`s no magic to it. In fact it`s the total opposite of magic, it`s like getting glasses for for your mind. That is if your mind before saw the world blurry and unclear. Now the meditation helps you focus, and your minds constant wandering. And how the mind warps the emotions and jumps from the past, to the future, to fantasy and to the " here and now". There is alot of talk from gurus and con artistist about staying in the " here and now" forever, but this is a pure con/scam. The mind simply don`t operate this way. But the meditation will give you axcess to the " here and now" in a higher degree because you train the mind to be " mindful". That is the mind becomes more " aware" of the senses and of where it is ( future, past, here and now, fantasy).
1: Be mindful of doing your zazen. Do it as regular as you can. This is the hard part. A short meditation of 5-10 minutes is far better than zero meditation.
2: It don`t need to be perfect. Just do it
3: Keep it simple
4: look at it as " exercise for the mind"
5: Notice that the meditation will be " unpleassant". That is alot of disturbing thoughts will surface. Just let these thoughts pass by. Don`t control them. This will give you more " meditation power". If it`s to big a struggle then use the breath to " clear the mind"
6: notice that after the meditation you feel lighter in the same way you feel great after a workout. in 9/10 meditation sessions the meditation will be a mix of pleassure and thoughts of stress/discomfort, also mundane thoughts like " I have to go to the store to buy some food". Don`t worry about this it`s all a part of the meditation
Observe
@eSchlumpberger, yes, this practice of mindful observation is the foundation of the contemplative practitioner. GO Deep!
Witness
@eSchlumpberger, yes “witness!” And we are grateful you have discovered this channel. Consider encountering the “Life Journey” series (to which Abbot Shohaku Okumura contributes); a sequential guided curriculum for contemporary contemplative practitioners available on the home page of this channel. Check it out. GO Deep!
Why must 1 sit up? Why not lay down and meditate?
Renel, great idea! Lay down! In fact, let’s practice connecting with the Deep Place in all the activities of our lives! We are grateful you have discovered this channel. We hope you will return often. Explore the Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for learning and practicing contemplation. GO Deep!
So as not to sleep, and so as to remain alert, basically
The ninety-six kinds of Indian outsiders!
Jugsewell, please feel free to expand upon your reflection. We are glad to hear from you. We are grateful you have discovered this special channel and hope you will return often. Please consider a sustained encounter with The Life Journey series on the home page of the Interior Mythos Journeys UA-cam channel. It provides a sequential, guided, experiential path for the contemporary contemplative practitioner. You will discover this dynamic profoundly in Life Journey #7 - The Ultimate Journey. Check it out and keep in touch! GO Deep!
In my experience over 20 years, I find white Western Buddhists are good at repeating tired well worn cliches. However, its only non white Buddhists who say things in a unique way and transmit more than mere words. They transmit a tranquility which helps one to slow down whilst listening to them. The only slight exception is Alan Watts, a scholar of all relgions. But even he never transmitted the quality I speak off. He was however entertaining, and did offer unique perspectives from his deep understanding. Alan and the rest never quite relinquish the western egotistic culture. Whether monk or lay Buddhist their egos are very present and they've made Buddhism into a product like Christanity and take themselves very seriously.
Yo Ya, thank you for these reflections. May we all find our path into the Deep Place beyond ego. We are hopeful the “Life Journey” series available on the home page of this channel can provide such a path. GO Deep!
Experience of the truth matters more than entertaining others. Entertaining is a thing of personality/ego/mind. People are trying to create a spiritual character or self concept to be “a good wise spiritual person” to be admired or revered. They want appreciation, admiration, fame. But when you shut the door and practice in secret, no one knows your words, but they do know the fruits of your practice through your presence. Knowledge of the truth is only by experience, through silence, not words.
In a sense, the white ones are a projection of our own mind, so while this egotistical way may be there, but is a good chance to observe my own judgment of it that arises in me. When I let go of judgment like a passing cloud, compassion from the Buddha true nature arises and the “other” appears to change or transform
Alot of guru types are highly narcissistic con artists. Their main goal is fame, power, sex, attention, materialism. And to get this they create a " spiritual image", that people and the lost who are desperat to escape " Dukkha" can worship/idealise get a short term feeling of escape. When in reality there is no " permanent" escape from "suffering/dissatisfaction/boredom/carving/fear/envy" and so on . That is humans crave the illusion of " permanence", when in reality the world is impermanent.
Not gonna lie, I have witnessed this myself and largely agree with you. But I would think it is a mistake to think that they are all this way, just because we know that there are no absolutes.
Curious how that particular subject of white Buddhist teachers came to mind, as the subject of this video is Japanese.