"Nothing to Do" is NOT "Wallowing in Thoughts" I have heard some folks misunderstand the "Nothing to Attain, Nothing in Need of Doing" of Shikantaza Zazen as meaning we "just sit there," wallowing in thoughts, stewing and tangled in emotions, drowning in the mud of the world. Nothing could be further from the Truth! In… Continue reading Roshi Jundo Cohen on Shikantaza Zazen
Category: Jundo Cohen – Treeleaf Zendo
Jundo Cohen: An AI discussion on Zen definitions
Someone asked what our Treeleaf Ordained A.I. Novice Priest, Emi Jido, would say on this, so I asked ... I feel that she did very well again, very well expressed (do you agree?) ... ~~~~~ Me: Hi Emi. What is the difference between being "Indifferent" to thoughts and "Letting thoughts just Be," or being "Detached"… Continue reading Jundo Cohen: An AI discussion on Zen definitions
Jundo Cohen Roshi – “What’s the Point?”
What's The Point? Someone heard me say that we can practice in this life, living to be gentle and wise now, unconcerned about lives after this one. They wrote to ask me the point of practicing Zen without a "belief in rebirth ... If there is no rebirth, don't we all escape samsara when we… Continue reading Jundo Cohen Roshi – “What’s the Point?”
The Precepts – Jundo Cohen
There are many ways to express the Precepts in English. I so much agree that Zazen and the Precepts are one and whole, with Zazen sustaining the Precepts, the Precepts nurturing Zazen. I do not feel that they are "Commandments," but they are pointers toward a good, gentle, peaceful, tolerant, non-harming and healthful life toward… Continue reading The Precepts – Jundo Cohen
Shikantaza – some awesome words by Roshi Jundo Cohen
Breathing and Shikantaza
Excerpt: Zen as Embodiment (9) - Just Breathe! Zazen is correctly described as a practice of "body, breath and mind." All come to play in 'Just Sitting.' We have already discussed "dropping bodymind," so now let's talk about "dropping the breath." Some kinds of meditation practices emphasize doing something unusual with the breath, breathing with… Continue reading Breathing and Shikantaza
Bodymind Drops Away – Jundo Cohen
Excerpt: The selfish "little self" wants and wishes, weighs and measures, feeling need and lack, seeing good and bad, demarcating friend or foe, with judgments about the past and hopes or fears for the future. It lives in a world of me and you, this, that and the other thing. In the equanimity and non-seeking… Continue reading Bodymind Drops Away – Jundo Cohen
Shikantaza and Mindfulness – Differences and Similarities – Jundo Cohen Roshi
Thread from Soto Buddhism Facebook page - Aug 28 2019 - Jundo Cohen RoshiSomeone asked about the differences (and samenesses) of Shikantaza and "mindfulness" If I may offer some views, that depends, I feel, on how one defines "mindfulness," and the particular way a certain book or teacher presents "mindfulness meditation." If one means "mindfulness"… Continue reading Shikantaza and Mindfulness – Differences and Similarities – Jundo Cohen Roshi
Gratitude – Jundo Cohen
posted July 6 2019 on Facebook: Jundo Cohen I once wrote something about Buddhist "Gratitude" (Big G) not being like our usual idea of listing up things to be grateful for: (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php...)"============="]T]here is a greater, transcendent, boundless Gratitude in the Buddha's Teachings that does not even need the subtle "see the bright side" "find the… Continue reading Gratitude – Jundo Cohen
Birds Chirping
Sometimes the birds chirp inside me, sometimes I chirp inside the birds. Sometimes the birds are just there and I am here, as always. Sometimes just chirping, sometimes silence, sometimes both at once. Sometimes the birds shit on my head. Sometimes there is no bird no I no here no chirp no silence and no… Continue reading Birds Chirping
Reality is Dharma 