The Ancient Seat

What is real zazen? What is using zazen to rehearse our pathology?

The only way to answer that question is to undertake a process of discovery under the guidance of a teacher and in careful and deep reflection on the sayings of our dharma benefactors.

Here’s a selection from Dogen’s Extensive Record that I think is an important pointer. The old boy answers the above question with the ultimate standard.

343. Dharma Hall Discourse
Buddhas’ and ancestors’ zazen is not movement or stillness, not practice and realization, not limited to body or mind, not the opposition of delusion and enlightenment, not emptying the various conditions, not bound by various realms.

How could it be connected to form, sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness? Studying the way does not use sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness. If you practice sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness, that is only sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness, and is not the study of the way.

Zazen isn’t limited to any category but is only wholeheartedly dropping body and mind, hopping vividly along. Instead of wallowing in your usual pit, in your next sit, try the practice of freedom – diligently letting go of whatever arises. Whoever arises.

Zazen is not an idea and is only discovered within the dynamic process itself. To the ancient seat!