Why Ask Why? - 02-20-22 by Sokuzan - SokukoJi.org

Don’t ask ‘why?’ Ask ‘what?’ 'Why' questions are circular. Some 'why' questions, like ‘Why am I cold?’ are helpful relatively, and so we become accustomed to using them. However, the circles that ‘why’ questions create will just keep going when it comes to your mind stream and your emotions. As a meditator sit down, hold still and watch what moves. That is Shikantaza. Don’t add, subtract or divide anything that shows up. No ‘why’ questions. But if they do show up, just observe that. Be very kind to your thought stream. Whatever shows up needs to be there. Even if I say don’t ask ‘why’ questions and it spontaneously shows up anyway, then it is coming with its own permission. Don’t fight with it and turn that into some kind of war so you artificially make yourself stop the ‘why’ question. That is a big misunderstanding about discipline. If discipline is actually discipline, you won’t even notice it because it is just the form. Don’t obey anything. Observe what arises. https://youtu.be/7bj1Z1GXM6s