... We are at one with the flat tire, at one with fixing the tire, at one with the tire fixed. All along, we know that there "is nothing in need of fixing" even as,
hand-in-hand, there is "something in need of fixing" (both tasted at once, not two). And as with a
perfectly just as it is flat tire, so it is with human conditions of fear, panic disorders, anger, addiction, depression and the like.
Shikantaza may
help with or fully cure some of it (
it may lessen or allow the full droppiing of the fear, the anger, addiction, depression etc),
or it may not, and simply allow us to be "
at one" with our flat tires of fear, anger, addiction, etc.
In such latter cases, something more than Shikantaza may be required and ...
IF IT IS EFFECTIVE ... I fully support that.
Thus, I do sometimes suggest that people pursue, hand in hand with
Shikantaza, a "12 step" program for addiction, anger management classes, medical treatment by a reputable doctor for a physical condition, anti-depression medication (
if effective), psychotherapy (
if effective), Metta Practice and Nurturing Seeds Practice (
if it is helpful) and the like.
...
But whatever supplementary path is pursued, nothing should take away from the central message of
Shikantaza practice ... to wit, there is nothing in need of fixing, never was. Just be and let it be ... even as ya might need to fix something.