avatarPretheesh Presannan

Summary

The website content discusses "Just Sitting," a non-practice form of meditation also known as Zazen or Shikantaza, which involves sitting without trying to control thoughts or achieve silence, allowing the mind to settle naturally.

Abstract

"Just Sitting" is presented as a meditative approach that diverges from traditional meditation practices by not imposing specific rules or goals. Practitioners are encouraged to sit and let their thoughts and feelings unfold without intervention, with the belief that this non-action allows for the natural dissipation of mental and physical tensions. The process trusts in the mind's ability to self-regulate, much like muddy water clearing when undisturbed, as famously quoted by Alan Watts. This method is contrasted with the common tendency to suppress or overthink negative thoughts, suggesting instead that sitting in acceptance can be more effective. The article references Albert Einstein's insight that problems cannot be solved with the same thinking that created them, implying that sitting meditation can offer a different perspective. For those interested in exploring this practice further, a resource is provided in both text and audio format from the Zen Studies Podcast, which delves into the experience and benefits of Shikantaza.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that traditional methods of controlling or suppressing thoughts may not be the most effective way to deal with negative mental patterns.
  • There is an emphasis on the idea that allowing thoughts and emotions to surface and resolve on their own can lead to a natural clearing of the mind, akin to letting muddy water settle.
  • The practice of "Just Sitting" is likened to a non-practice, where the act of sitting with open eyes and an open mind is the core activity, without the need for specific techniques or focuses.
  • The article implies that the approach of Shikantaza requires courage, as it goes against the instinct to actively manage or solve problems, and instead embraces the concept of letting go.
  • By referencing a Zen Studies Podcast episode, the author provides an expert source that corroborates the value and depth of the "Just Sitting" practice, suggesting that even experienced meditators may find new insights in this approach.
  • The author contrasts the "wily fox" mindset, which may be more adaptive and open, with the "Hinayana self-control" approach, suggesting a preference for the former in the context of Shikantaza.

Just Sitting

A limerick on a non-meditation

Photo by Maksim ŠiŠlo on Unsplash

Once a man began a non-practice called “just sitting”.

It had no specific rules–an unusual way of meditating.

When it came to real confrontation,

he was overwhelmed with suffocation.

He ran out of fear to his toilet and ended up “just shitting”.

Jokes apart, just sitting is also called ‘Zazen’ or ‘Shikantaza’. It is a form of sitting where you aren’t required to find any silence or control thoughts or anything at all. Instead, you are allowed to just let time pass with whatever comes up. Everything is allowed to sort out on its own.

If you are tormented by excessive negative and fearful thoughts, you do not have to try hard to control or stop them or solve them or focus on breath, instead, you let them play out freely; allowing the energy that serves those thoughts to be burned out. Thoughts, as well as physical tensions, fears, doubts, shame, guilt, bodily contractions, etc, are allowed to come up and get burned on their own.

It is much like the below quote, you allow the mind to play out and settle on its own.

“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.” — Alan Watts.

When we are fully trapped in negative thoughts of any kind, we naturally try to suppress or control them, or even worse waste time trying to figure out a solution within the same thinking mind. In this non-practice, we are allowing the mind momentum to reduce on its own. It can sound a bit risky because we are so used to control methods (which might work for some people). Here we are open to whatever comes up during the sitting; sitting with eyes open(inner eyes) nothing else.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” — Albert Einstein

As per the Einstien quote, we might as well stop hoping and start sitting.

I found a great explanation of this non-practice here (both in text and audio format):

“It is better to have the mind of a wily fox than to follow the way of Hinayana self-control.” — Source

Limerick
Meditation
Humor
Creative Writing
Zazen
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