“Just sitting” is the English translation of the Japanese word shikantaza. Shikan means “only” or “just.” The za of taza means “to sit,” and the syllable ta is a verbal intensifier. Whereas both counting the breath and following the breath use the breath as their point of focus, just sitting consists of just the sitting itself. In this sense, it is the purest form of meditation, the original meditation practiced by the buddhas and Zen ancestors. If you are sitting to penetrate the innermost recesses of yourself, just sitting is the ideal form of meditation. Dōgen Zenji broke through to complete enlightenment when practicing just sitting.”
Quote by Kōun Yamada
Work
Zen: The Authentic Gate
Browse quotes and source details for this work. more
Author
You May Also Like
Source: Zen: The Authentic Gate
Source: The Attention Revolution, Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind
Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
Source: Berlabuh di Lindoeya
Source: El mejor lugar del mundo es aquí mismo
“Doubt Your Doubts Before You Doubt Yourself!”
Source: LinguaVerse: A Journey through Language Realms
“-¡Qué lejos estamos! -, suspiró. -¿De qué? -De nosotros mismos”
Source: Of Love and Other Demons
Source: Hopscotch
“No siempre había que buscar lejos, a veces se encuentra muy cerca lo que se está buscando.”