How Is Sds Different From Ordinary Zazen?

[Guest]

I don't know much about Zazen, but isn't it just sitting without moving?

[ZenMonkey]

@FocusOnTruth From what I read there are very detailed instructions about your posture for zazen. Zen gives a lot of importance to it. But about the mind there is often less and various advice.

• Dogen Zenji only says: "Practice non-thinking."
• Kodo Sawaki says: "Just sit and shut up." and "Zazen is practiced with your body.", "You manifest Buddha with your raw human flesh."
• Suzuki Roshi gives the advice: "When you are practicing zazen, do not try to stop your thinking. Let it stop by itself. If something comes into your mind, let it come in, and let it go out. It will not stay long. When you try to stop your thinking, it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, gradually they will become calmer and calmer. In five or at most ten minutes, your mind will be completely serene and calm. At that time your breathing will become quite slow, while your pulse will become a little faster."
• Others advice you to be mindfull or observe youself.

So I think because there are differnt schools in Zen it's hard to say this is Zazen, there are different types.

Also it's said it is a practice and not a training so you don't want to get anywhere, there is no goal. Just what's here that's it.

But I also only studied a few books and texts, I am not an expert.

Edited March 30, 2016 by ZenMonkey

[Azrael]

I'm currently experimenting with Zazen and I'm following the instructions from this guy. So yes, it's a lot about posture - just like strong determination sits - and also they focus a lot on bringing your attention and breathing from your breast (where it is very shallow) into your belly. They do this with counting the out-breath from one to ten.

I've done this now for a few days and it's really amazing I gotta say. I get even more relaxed and hyper-focused.

[Guest]

There are two categories of meditation technique: meditation techniques with a meditation object (one-pointed concentration meditation), and meditation techniques without a meditation object (awareness/insight meditation).

Zazen is a one-pointed concentration technique that focusses on the breath.

The SD technique doesn't have a meditation object and so it is effectively insight meditation.

 

Another question you might ask is: what is the difference between VIpassana and SD? Vipassana doesn't have a meditation object like SD, but the point of Vipassana moment-to-moment noting in order to stay in the the present awareness. SD can still be a moment-to-moment noting, but the focus is on staying in one place with determination!

 

Check this out https://integrallife.com/integral-post/stages-meditation