Comments on: The Middle Way (Eightfold Path) – Realistic Concentration http://SkillfulMeans.lotusbell.com/2008/09/23/the-middle-way-eightfold-path-realistic-concentration/ not THE way, but A way Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:28:53 +0000 hourly 1 By: Dharma Voyager http://SkillfulMeans.lotusbell.com/2008/09/23/the-middle-way-eightfold-path-realistic-concentration/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Dharma Voyager Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:16:40 +0000 http://skillfulmeans.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/the-middle-way-eightfold-path-realistic-concentration/#comment-151 Thank you very much, and good point. Your comment certainly clarifies the subject matter. Thank you very much, and good point. Your comment certainly clarifies the subject matter.

]]> By: Danaeah Ballinger http://SkillfulMeans.lotusbell.com/2008/09/23/the-middle-way-eightfold-path-realistic-concentration/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Danaeah Ballinger Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:42:01 +0000 http://skillfulmeans.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/the-middle-way-eightfold-path-realistic-concentration/#comment-150 Dharma, thanks, great article. Good that you addressed the question every beginner has - "exactly what am I supposed to do?" I don't think anyone ever "graduates" from watching the breath. There will be days when that's all one can do (barely) or traffic jams where it's the best alternative. However - one correction: shikantaza is an advanced practice that is an extremely simple yet extremely difficult practice. One teaches describes it as "let everything be as it is." In other words, be aware of everything, but manipulate nothing, and oh, btw, take the "backward step" away from your thoughts so that they do not carry you away. After "mastering the basics" (the kind of statement Zen people hate") shikantaza is one of the classic "ongoing" practices that is given. Koan work, is the other. There is a good summary of the "progression" of practice in Phillip Kaplow's "Three Pillars of Zen," and of course there is more than you care to know on google. Dharma, thanks, great article. Good that you addressed the question every beginner has – “exactly what am I supposed to do?” I don’t think anyone ever “graduates” from watching the breath. There will be days when that’s all one can do (barely) or traffic jams where it’s the best alternative.

However – one correction: shikantaza is an advanced practice that is an extremely simple yet extremely difficult practice. One teaches describes it as “let everything be as it is.” In other words, be aware of everything, but manipulate nothing, and oh, btw, take the “backward step” away from your thoughts so that they do not carry you away.

After “mastering the basics” (the kind of statement Zen people hate”) shikantaza is one of the classic “ongoing” practices that is given. Koan work, is the other. There is a good summary of the “progression” of practice in Phillip Kaplow’s “Three Pillars of Zen,” and of course there is more than you care to know on google.

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