Shikantaza 只管打坐 » Tibet Dharma

Shikatanza is the Zen subset of Zazen meditation, focusing on true enlightenment. It translates to Silent Illumination, Just Sitting, or Serene Reflection. It corresponds to an objectless meditation and is the highest form of Zen meditation.

Zen Buddhism series

Shikantaza comes from Ch’an buddhism – the source of Zen. Etymologically, it covers a very non-conceptual ground.

“to reflect light, to shine on, to illume or enlighten”, as well as “to reflect upon, to look upon, to have insight into”. The whole term thus becomes “serene reflection”, “silent illumination” or “luminescent darkness”.^[8]
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Summary Shikantaza

Central Entity: Shikantaza (只管打坐)

Category: Zen Buddhist Meditation Practice (Soto School)

Description: A core meditation practice in Soto Zen Buddhism emphasizing a simple, direct approach focused on the present moment.

Goals:

Cultivate mindfulness and present-moment awareness
Develop a state of non-striving and letting go
Transcend the duality of subject and object
Realize one’s true nature and achieve enlightenment

Practice:

Sit in a comfortable, upright posture (zafu or chair)
Focus on the breath initially, observing the sensations
Acknowledge thoughts without judgment and return focus to breath
Maintain an open and receptive mind to whatever arises
Avoid striving to control thoughts or experience

Benefits:

Deepened sense of calmness and peace
Increased self-awareness and insight
Reduced stress and anxiety
Cultivation of non-attachment and compassion
Potential for enlightenment

Related Concepts:

Zen Buddhism (Soto School)
Zazen Meditation
Mindfulness
Non-duality
Enlightenment (Kensho)
Zazen posture
Breathwork

Additional Notes:

Shikantaza is considered the core practice in Soto Zen, emphasized by masters like Dogen Zenji.
Regular practice is encouraged, with sessions ranging from a few minutes to several hours.
Shikantaza can be practiced individually or in a group setting.
It is seen as a path of direct experience and awakening, not requiring complex techniques or visualizations.

Just Sitting

The practice of just sitting corresponds to the early part of the 9 stages of resting the mind. The goal is to establish a sustained focus – true meditation. The mind then releases focus on any particular object. A state of nonthought arises. Resting in this experience is Just Sitting, Going Nowhere.

There is no effort to dispel thoughts. Each thought is released naturally. Do not get caught in thoughts. Instead, greet them with bare attention or clear awareness. Thoughts tend to slow and stop if the practice is done correctly. The final thought is basically the thought of the self.

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Silent Illumination

Silent Illumination arises from a good application of Just Sitting. A stable mind essentially focuses on mind itself. However, mind has no substance and is ungraspable, so the focus is no focus. The end result is resting in the self-illuminating or self-knowing aspect of mind (rangrik).

The focus, without a specific object, is on the flow of mind’s awareness. This is more akin to water in a slow river than to the anything in itself. Or to the rays of the sun. There is ever-changing yet unchanging quality. The experiential sense cannot be described precisely because it is beyond all concepts. That is a fundamental idea – transcending the conceptual plane.

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