Shin Jin Datsu Raku: Body And Mind Abandoned In The Practice

In Zazen,

We continuously come back with the attention to posture and breathing.

This is essential to develop a fluid mind,

A mind that doesn't dwell on anything,

A mind that is detached,

A mind that sees clearly.

When we speak of the mind,

We often think of our mental capacities,

Our capacity to think,

But mostly we are entangled in our thoughts and it leads to all kinds of impurities of the mind,

Complexities,

Leads to suffering,

Because we cannot get what we want and we are manifesting qualities that we dislike.

Our mind cannot be controlled with our thinking capacity.

The mental functions,

The calculating mind,

The projecting mind,

Is not a mind at peace,

Is not a mind in unity,

Because it separates itself from the Universe.

In Zazen,

We can experience a great mind,

A mind that doesn't get stuck on anything.

It is beyond thinking and non-thinking,

A fluid mind that is rooted in a strong posture and that finds calm and clarity in the simple living reality of the present moment,

Which manifests in the breathing.

When we fully concentrate on a strong body posture and the fluidity of the breathing,

We completely focus on body and mind and being fully absorbed in that concentration on body posture,

Continuously adjusting it and following the rhythm of the breathing.

At some point,

Body and mind fall away.

That is,

If we go beyond the attachment,

If it is not me anymore that is practicing,

When there is no difference anymore between object and subject,

When there is just Zazen practicing Zazen,

Body and mind fall away and we can experience the freedom of eternity,

Every moment again.

Master Dogen speaks of Shin Jin Tatsuraku,

Body and mind falling away,

Body and mind abandoned in the practice and then our practice becomes universal,

In harmony with the entire universe.

Then all obstacles fall away and we can experience a profound freedom,

Harmony with all that exists,

Simply by stopping the obstructive mind,

By abandoning the mind that calculates and,

Instead,

Giving all our energy to the practice.