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To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things of the universeHow does this work? Studying the self is to forget the self? This quote is one of the most common Dogen, and Zen quotes. But what does it mean? What is it saying? What’s it pointing to?
Study The Way
To Study the way means a personal study of yourself. The Way is always personal and unique. There’s frame works, but it’s applied to each person’s unique situation. Each of us does our own personal work. To be on the way is to be studying this thing called self.
Forgetting The Self
When we study the self, what we do is see the self. By seeing the self, we see it’s tricks, it’s games and illusions. Our identity shifts away from being the self, to an integrated state, containing also what’s there when there is no self. In that way, we no longer remember the self, we no longer place importance on the self. Things still happen, we still are, we breathe, we live, but there is no constant remembering of the I/Me/My. There is a living in the moment, and this living is in touch with reality. It’s presence. It’s consciousness, it’s forgetting the self.
Universal Enlightenment
When we are living in this place, of the forgotten self, we see all things as they are, we see the ten thousand things. In this place we there is no projection. Rather we see things, we interact, we “embrace the
touching point”(Donal) of the present moment. And this place is Enlightenment. No ideas or concepts. Ideas and concepts extinguished, all that’s left is reality; we live Nirvana.
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Hi Wade,
I understand the liberation from (pre-occupation with) the self.
Though I’ve thought about it lots I still don’t understand where it fits with learning. Does seeing things more clearly remove the need for learning. I think not and just think the language here is rather loose.
I do think learning will be easier without (pre-occupation with) the self. But still needed. This is my thought so far. What do you think?
Hi Wade,
Great post. I really appreciated how you broke this classic Dogen quote down into simple language. I think it shows a real understanding for the material. Kudos, you’ve helped me on this immensely.
Evan,
In terms of learning . . . I’d say that it’s a different type of learning that one works at in Zen practice. Instead of intellectually building concepts or understanding , we’re trying to get to a pure place of existing. Think of it as adding zero as opposed to adding one. So it is learning, just in the opposite way we are used to.
How’s that for staking rocks on top of each other?
Hi Gregor,
You misspelt stacking. Does this indicate a mistake in your practise? if you see what I mean.
Zen uses words, there’s many a koan I understand. This has to do with spelling. Following a Roshi’s instructions means comprehension of grammar as well as the topic discussed.
What is impure existing? I understand the need for the ‘ego’ to get out of the way. This applies in learning everything I think (though no doubt more intensely with zen). Any learning deals with our experience with the concepts coming second (the idea that they can come first is due to lack of attention to experience in my view).
I’m not sure that it is a different type of learning. Though it may have a very different goal. It seems to me that if the place of pure existing is a human one then it needs to have a place for learning. I hope this makes sense.
Hi Evan.
Thank you for pointing out my spelling mistake. I’m not sure if if points out a fault in my practice. Tit for tat, you neglected to capitalize “Zen” in your third paragraph.
Is hypercriticism a flaw in your practice?
Regardless, I appreciate you pointing out one of my many faults. I should be more thorough in checking what I post for errors.
You are correct Zen does use many words. I’m glad you understand many a koan. That’s really great. I suspect we are using words to describe something that can not be put into words. But, it is a valiant effort.
I’m not sure what you mean by impure existing. I did mention existing purely—which we could replace with existing organically or without unnecessary additions.
What we learn with this practice is how to relinquish from our lives that which is not reality. To subtract the delusion and mental chatter. Please, consider the theory of Shikantaza—the theory of Zazen plus zero.
It is not a different kind of learning, No
But, learning in an opposite direction. Instead of taking a concept or idea and adding that to shape our world view, we drop those ideas and just experience whatever it is we are experiencing.
So yes there is a place for learning. Assuming it’s not the desire for learning that we are getting stuck on.
Hi Gregor,
Thanks for your reply. I wasn’t trying to be picky but to highlight the question about learning (in this case learning to spell) and zen practice.
I think we agree about learning in the opposite direction. In the Tao the author talks about forgetting something everyday instead of learning. This captures it for me.
I understand the distinction between immediate experience and reflection upon it. My evaluation of concepts is higher than the one usually given by zen. As soon as we communicate then concepts, ideas and worldviews are part of the story.
For me the individual is a social-individual. Communication and language are part of who we are. Zen may be more individualist than this. I certainly can’t claim expertise in it. I think when we sit with what is there is compassion and communication. And this communication can involve our worldview and concepts (though they can also – perhaps – usually do get in the way) although it may be silent also.
I hope this makes some sense. I think we are agreeing on the fundamentals.
Hi Evan,
No problems whatsoever, I’m glad you pointed out what you did.
Yes, we probably are agreeing on the fundamentals. The rest is just piling stones atop stones.
Hi Wade,
I’ll be talking with you soon. I’m going to be shutting down my computer for three days. It’s time return to practice and find the middle ground again.
peace,
Greg
I find it beautiful how Zen incorporates so much of the basic, simple wisdom of Taoism. It is part of why I relate so much to the Zen tradition. Thanks for fleshing out this quote, I really enjoyed this post. I bow to the Buddha within you friend….
Greg/Evan, thank you both for such an enjoyable discussion over here. Was enjoying to watch unfold, and great to get other views on the topics.@James, Gassho to you my friend. Congratulations also for your nominations in the Blogisattva Awards.
May we all awaken.
Gassho,
Wade
Great post. In my mind, to get to the point where i’m exploring deeper aspects of myself, I need to learn to move beyond those things I am convinced I already know. To transcend my limited perceptions enables me to truly grow.
To study the self is to study everything and nothing at once. Everything we are is a single point of view. 1 point of view out of all points of view. To forget the self is to give up individual perception,which comes from the human mind in this life, and to embrace all perception which comes from one mind and all life it emanates. Time reveals to us our impermanence. At one time there was a you as you are now and everything else and then at death you become everything else and there is no you as you were. We are dreamers within a great dream and, upon waking, we will discover that the dream was and the dreamer was not. We created this to be both the center stage performer and also to be in the crowded audience of it. We have nothing to ask of life which it has not been telling us already in every moment. Listen to the sound of nothing and we will hear its voice. Feel the touch of nothing and we will feel its touch. See the sight which we cannot see and we will see its truest form.
@Liara, That’s exactly it
When we have ideas we limit who we are. When we let go of what we think we know, we are able to learn and grow. We hold onto so many ideas, it’s almost funny.
@Casey, thank you for your beautiful understanding and poem.
May all beings be happy.
Gassho,
Wade