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From: lefty@TWG.COM (Lefty)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Lotus Sutra on "the ultimate entity"
Message-ID: <1991Jan16.011350.23210@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 16 Jan 91 01:13:50 GMT
References: <1991Jan1.001930.8508@nas.nasa.gov> <1991Jan3.013302.28204@nas.nasa.gov>
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Approved: prabhu@amelia.nas.nasa.gov


In article <1991Jan3.013302.28204@nas.nasa.gov> jwl@mvutd.att.com (James W 
Lacey) writes:
> In article <1991Jan1.001930.8508@nas.nasa.gov>, gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us 
(Gary S. Trujillo) writes:
> >  I recall what I thought to be a bit of wry humor in a day-long Zen 
> > sitting workshop when attendees were counseled that at some time during 
> > their sitting practice they might have unusual experiences, like becoming 
> > aware of past lives.  The advice given was to keep one's attention 
> > focussed on the breath, and these things would pass.) [stuff deleted]
> 
> I have heard/read similar advise, but it was made explict that
> such "unusual experiences" were hallucinations.

This is correct.  In general, any particular "experience" you encounter 
while sitting zazen should be treated as a distraction and ignored.  The 
mind tends to fight approaching the state of "mushin"; visions, "past 
life" memories and other odd experiences can result.

The correct response is to return one's attention to the breath (if 
sitting shikan-taza).

The Japanese term for this sort of thing is "makkyo".

--
Lefty  (lefty@twg.com)              |          "And you may ask yourself,
D:.O:.D:., C:.M:.C:.                |             'How do I work this?'"