Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Zen as Embodiment (5) - All the Time Zazen

  1. #1

    Zen as Embodiment (5) - All the Time Zazen

    One sits Zazen with the sense, deep in the bones, that each single instant of Zazen embodies all time, all times and every time.

    While sitting Zazen, "past" flows into "future," "future" flows into "past," now flows into then and then is just precisely now, all embodied within this moment of Zazen as the "Grand Central Station" where all tracks meet!

    No less, this Zazen embodies all the happy times and sad times too, whatever happened long ago that we cry over or long for, whatever we hope or fear might come tomorrow ... all cherished, all held in equanimity.

    Further, one moment holds each moment holds all moments within every moment.

    All this, held naturally and without a thought inside every passing second of Zazen.

    As well, Zazen is beyond all measure, free of all moments. So, please stop all judgements and time counting. Please give up thinking that "long" sitting is better than "short," that "good" moments are better than "bad" moments of sitting. Although we sit for a certain number of minutes each day as fulfilment of a vow, and we hope for pleasant conditions, it is vital that we simultaneously drop all measures from mind, put the clock completely down, stop weighing "good vs. bad" ... for each single sitting of Zazen is perfectly just what it is. There is no "before" or "after," "better" or "worse" than this razor's edge, tip of a pin of Zazen.

    Even so, sometimes we sit various lengths, we set the timer, sometimes for a few minutes, for hours, sometimes for days on end at Sesshin, for each experience is unique, offering its own panorama, it's own time just what it is. This was Master Dogen's feeling of "Being-Time," with each thing, all things, each instant and all instants its own unique flavor of being in its own precious time, all swallowed up and held within Zazen and all our lifetime. Being-time is embodied-time, embodied-being.

    Then, dropping all thought of "before" vs. "after," and even dropping all thought of "now" ... just sit, beyond and through all sense or measure of time. This timeless is embodied in every drop of Zazen, deep in the bones. The time of Zazen does not tick away even as it flows. A spark's flash of Zazen or 10,000 years of Zazen are just the same, yet we sit right on time each time for a certain time.

    I do not mean not to use a clock. I use a clock for most sittings (sometimes not). I mean that clock or no clock, Zazen is all times and timeless beyond measure.

    It is vital that our "How to Sit" instructions in expressing Shikantaza not neglect this all times, every time, each time, just what it is time and timeless embodied in the timeless times of sitting. Each sitting is the right time, and each time is right sitting, all right timeless too.

    Sorry for taking up your valuable time and running long.

    Gassho, J
    STLah

    Last edited by Jundo; 10-06-2020 at 03:34 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  2. #2


    Gassho,
    Washin
    just sat (using timeless IT)
    Kaidō (皆道) Every Way
    Washin (和信) Harmony Trust
    ----
    I am a novice priest-in-training. Anything that I say must not be considered as teaching
    and should be taken with a 'grain of salt'.

  3. #3
    Thank you Jundo for your insightful teaching on zazen and time. I found the chapter on Uji very difficult to comprehend. I'm hoping your forthcoming book will shed light on this complex teaching.

    Gassho
    Van
    Satlah

    Sent from my HD1913 using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Good description that it runs "through our bones" and past and future "flow together".

    Thanks Jundo, this articulates the experience well and has some good reminders.

    Gassho,

    Ippo

    Sat/Lah

  5. #5
    Thank you Jundo.


    Tairin
    Sat today and lah
    泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful Woods

  6. #6
    I have found this so, the good times, the bad times all present and the woman who taught me bad and good, who forgave me until I could walk a little on my own, who said, "I never want to go through this again." Then she went through it again, and knowing this I made sure, that it never happend again, that once was enough, that our child was poof of this, tha out of being everywhere present came love and understanding, I know zazen. I have sat zazen.
    Gassho
    st / lah
    Taishi
    Peaceful Poet, Tai Shi. Ubasoku; calm, supportive, limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆

  7. #7
    I enjoyed thetrain station reference since it helped me understand our sitting is the nexus of here and now as well as past and future.

    Gassho

    Chelsea
    Satlah

    Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •