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松本自證 Matsumoto Jishō (1961-)

https://www.muishinso.com/blank-15
https://www.simplyzen.online/
https://satorizen.wixsite.com/satori/about

Jisho Matsumoto was born in Kanagawa, Japan in 1961. To find the answers to his burning questions - what is the truth? What happens after life? - he tried various forms of meditation and other spiritual practices for many years. Although he had gained certain experiences and insights, he was never fully satisfied. One day, he encountered a book by 井上義衍 Inōe Gien (1894-1981), one of the most prominent realized zen masters in modern Japan, and immediately understood that his teaching will put an end to his quest.  Shortly after, Jisho started to study under 井上貫道 Inōe Kandō (1944-), Gien's son/disciple. Jisho discussed with Kando tirelessly until Jisho mastered how to "sit" corretly in zen practice. He then sat whenever and wherever possible  until one night, with a sound, "what has always been clear (Truth)" became clear to Jisho. Today, Jisho resides in Tokyo, and teaches zen in Tokyo, Kobe, and Kyoto, Japan. He is known for his ability to guide his students effectively with straightforward and precise language in modern context. Jisho is not a monk and has always had professional jobs alongside his zen practice. Based on his experience in balancing family, work and zen practice, he offers valuable insights about how to continue zen practice and realize Truth in modern era.

 

Truth & Satori
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Truth = What is Real 
What is Zen
Why people no longer know that "truth = what is real"
To know that “truth=what is real," only satori is required
Correct Zazen for Satori
Exercises to know that truth=what is real


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■Truth = What is Real:  What does this mean? 
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What is Truth?
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Take ​★ for an example.
What is ​★ ?
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​★ is not “a star”
★ is neither “big” nor “small”
​​★ is neither “always existing” nor “transient”
★ is not “an object that I’m perceiving”
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“Star,” “big,” “small,” “always existing,” “transient,” and “an object that I’m perceiving” are all concepts, i.e. mental constructs (what you thought about ★).

However, ★ is not a concept.
★ is ★
★  (the real thing itself) = Truth.

Concepts (e.g. “★=Star”) are thought to be true.  However, ★ is not “a Star.”  The fact is ★ is ★.
There is only ★

There is only ★.  This is not the idea that I am here and only ★ exists over there. Really there is only ★. There is nothing other than ★ so it is Truth.
​
You may believe that “I" (as a subject) exist. However, “I” is a concept, and it has never existed in actual fact. Thus, “other” has also never existed, and there has never been distance or separation between “self” and “other.”

“I have awakened to ★” is also a concept. Someone might think this, but the fact is ★
There has never been an “I” to awaken. There is only ★


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​■What is Zen?
​
Zen is the real thing itself. The Chinese character for Zen ( 禅 ) is made up of the character “to point” and “simple.” It means, “pointing to simple truth.” This means ★ is ★. For this reason, there is no ideology, realm, or special mental state of Zen.

 

​■Why people no longer know that “truth=what is real”
​
The function of cognition is the reason people no longer know that truth=what is real. Cognition is the function that enables people to think that something exists. This is an important function in everyday life, but it also creates a sense of separation. With this sense of separation, people no longer know that what is real is truth itself. 

To make it easier to understand how cognition creates ignorance of truth, I will use the example of an infant. Please try to imagine. A newly born baby does not think that mother (other) is there, and I (me) am here. Newborns do not conceptualize that they exist.

From around 6 months, however, the cognitive function begins to develop, and there is a recognition of mother (someone other than self) and things (things other than self). This is a recognition of things existing. This is the beginning of a sense of self and other, which is a sense of separation. This is the beginning of not knowing truth. Then emerges the ability to think in myriad ways about the others that one thinks exists. One becomes able to conceptualize about the real thing itself. After this, one begin to think that it is the concept that is real, and not the real thing itself.  

This means that people believe that their concepts about ★ are the truth of ★.  This means that they do not see ★ as truth, but think that there is truth that exists somewhere other than ★. This leads people to try to understand or search for truth.  
​
In this way, most people believe that the truth of ★ is what they think about ★, so they think that they can find Truth by thinking. So when they are asked “what is ★?” they try to figure it out by thinking. They might think, “is it a star? Is it a symbol? Is it good or bad? What is it?”

However, ★ (the real thing=truth) can never be revealed through thinking. No concept will ever be ★ itself.


​
■To know that "truth=what is real," only satori is required 

​Satori puts an end to the search for truth

Satori is not an understanding, realization, insight, condition, or feeling.

Satori is ★ (Truth=the real thing itself). Satori is not about thinking or believing that ★ is Truth. That is a concept. It is not ★ itself.

With satori, it becomes clear that there has only ever been ★ (this is not observation. It is really only ★. There is absolutely nothing else).

With satori, it also becomes clear that “I” as a subject and “others” as objects have never actually existed in fact. It also becomes clear that “star,” “big,” “small,” "there is only ★," “Truth,” “satori,” etc., are also concepts, and that they are not ★ itself. 

Satori is not a condition or sensation. For example, it is not the elimination, transformation, or realization of "I” or “self.” A self has never existed, so there is no self to eliminate, transform, or realize. Satori is not the expansion of a sense of self, and it is not an all-encompassing self, not the unification of self and other.  Why? Because self and other (subject and object, separation) have never existed. It is already ★ (only the real thing itself).

Also, please understand that there are no stages in satori and no levels (shallow or deep). There is no process to satori. Truth is either clear (satori), or not clear (delusion). It is one or the other.

When it is clear that ★ is ★, the search for truth ends. There is absolutely no more room for doubt. There is no deeper satori or knowing. There is no return to before satori. One does not think, “satori happened to me.”


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​■Correct Zazen for Satori

In order for ★ (the real thing=truth) to be clear (satori), it is necessary for cognition to completely cease temporarily. This means all recognition of something as existing and conceptualizing it ceases temporarily. Because it ceases completely, ★ is revealed as ★ itself, without any conceptualization.  ★ is revealed as it is. As a result of this, it will be clear that there was never such thing as “I” (subject) and “other” (object), and that they were just products of imagination.

It is not possible to turn off cognition. Any attempt to stop cognition will fail.

So then how can cognition cease?
★ is already ★, so it is completely unnecessary to intentionally try to do something based on your own way of thinking. Therefore, sit with eyes open, and that is all. This is correct zazen.  
​
When one continues correct zen practice, sooner or later cognition will temporarily cease of its own accord. This is how Truth is revealed (satori).
​
On the other hand, if one makes any type of mental effort to achieve satori (e.g. by trying to understand truth, trying to achieve what you believe to be a state of Zen, or trying to become something), cognition will not cease, and one is stuck in illusion (concepts).

★ is ★ (truth) for everyone in any situation, so satori is possible for anyone.
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The reason for sitting is that it enables you to refrain from using intentional thinking. Lying down is not appropriate simply because you fall asleep.  
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* * *

■Exercises to Understand that Truth = What is Real 

After reading the above once, try returning to the top and substituting other real things, such as the examples below. Repeating the exercise should make it more clear what is meant by the expression “what is real.” The real thing can only be indicated by the real thing itself, so please do give this a try.   
​​
when you see ★, clap your hands. Replace the word "a star" with "a sound"
when you see ★, turn to the right and turn to the left. Replace the word "a star" with "view"
when you see ★, smell your hand. Replace the word "a star" with "smell"
when you see ★, take a sip of something. Replace the word "a star" with "taste"
when you see ★, hit your arm lightly. Replace the word "a star" with "pain"
when you see ★, think "ABC.”  Replace the word "a star" with "a thought"

 

Zazen: Sitting Zen​

■Goal of Zazen

The result that is expected from zazen is for ★ (what is real=truth) to become absolutely clear. This is also referred to as satori or enlightenment. 

​To that end, it is necessary for one’s cognition (thinking that something exists and conceptualizing it) to cease completely and temporarily. When it ceases completely, ★ is revealed exactly as it is.

It will then be clear that “I” (subject) and “other” (object) never really existed and that they were just products of the imagination.


​
​■What is Correct Zazen
​
In order for ★ (what is real=truth) to be clear, it is necessary for there to be a momentary and complete cessation of cognition. This means all recognition of something as existing and conceptualizing ceases temporarily. Because it ceases completely, ★ is revealed as ★ itself, without any conceptualization.  

So the result we expect of Zen practice is for cognition to momentarily cease completely.

It is not possible, however, to intentionally turn off cognition. Any attempt to stop cognition will fail.

So then how can cognition cease?
★ is already ★, so it is completely unnecessary to intentionally try to do something based on your own way of thinking. Therefore, sit with eyes open, and that is all. This is correct zazen.  

The reason for sitting is that it enables you to refrain from using intentional thinking. Lying down is not appropriate simply because one falls asleep.  

When one continues correct zen practice, sooner or later cognition will momentarily cease of its own accord. This is how Truth is revealed (satori).

On the other hand, if one makes any type of mental effort to achieve satori (e.g. by trying to understand truth, trying to achieve what you believe to be a state of Zen, or trying to become something), cognition will not cease, and one is stuck in delusion (concepts).

★ is ★ (truth) for everyone in any situation, so satori is possible for anyone.


​
​■The Content of Zazen

★ is ★
Even if you do not try to do anything, the content of what is, is as it is. It is the unpredictable content of the five senses, feelings, thoughts, and emotions. They all naturally arise and disappear, and they are what is actually real, which equals truth. This is the content of zazen.

For example, zazen could have the following content (activity):

… clunk … my leg hurts … I’m tired of sitting … there’s a cat … I’m looking at the floor! … oh, I wasn’t thinking anything … oops, I was thinking … will satori every happen to me? ... I was thinking about work … meow … time’s flying! … this is boring … I’m hungry … what should I eat …

Such is Zen practice.

 

​​■Physical Aspects of Zazen

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■Common Challenges in Zazen

Before reading below, please try sitting for at least 10 minutes as explained above. When you are done, please proceed below.
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When learning to sit (zazen), many people encounter the following three challenges:

1.  Feeling concerned about the content of your thoughts or feelings and trying to mentally address them somehow.

Content that people often feel concerned about includes the following:

​No matter what thoughts or concerns arise, you can just sit. Do not try to control your thoughts or emotions, and do not engage with them. Do not intentionally start thinking and analyzing things that get your attention.

Many people worry about the frequency and content of thoughts/emotions, but the frequency and content are no problem.

The reason frequency is not a problem is because nothing exists other than the fact that is right now.  Please clap your hands 3 times. You may think that you’ve clapped “a lot” but that is not a fact. The fact is that there was one clap at a time, and only the one clap existed each time. The three did not happen at once, and one clap existed only when it existed. Now, none of the claps remain, and right now, there is only what there is right now.

This is how everything is. Thoughts and emotions are no exception. It doesn’t matter how many times thoughts or emotions arise—they leave no residue.  Right now, there is only what is happening right now. The fact that is right now is the only thing that is relevant to Zen practice.

Just as your heart beats on its own, thoughts and emotions emerge on their own. This is the case after satori as well.
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There is no problem with the content of any thought or emotion. For example, it is not a problem even if you find yourself thinking, "my thoughts are a problem," or notice that you’re feeling anxious, wondering “why do I have such thoughts?” 

When you think, “my thoughts are problematic,” what actually exists is, “my thoughts are problematic.” When you think, “why do I have such thoughts?” what actually exists is, “why do I have such thoughts?” Both are the content of what is real, which is the content of zazen. There is no good or bad about it.

There is, therefore, no need to do anything. It is ok as it is. This is the discipline.
​
2.  Unknowingly trying to create or achieve a state of mind.   

This happens when you misunderstand or have preconceptions about Truth, satori, zazen or what will happen when you are not doing anything (e.g. feeling at peace, having no thoughts/emotions arising, things looking different, having deeper states of awareness, feeling like you don't exist, etc.).

These preconceptions then become your goal, and you start doing something to achieve that goal, knowingly or not knowingly.  

However, zazen is really not doing anything. There is no condition, state of mind or anything to be achieved in zazen. There is no need to do anything, because ★ is already ★ for everyone under any circumstance. Actually, the act of trying is an obstacle to satori. If you wish for ★ (Truth) to be revealed, just sit with your eyes open.

If you have an image of what truth is, or what satori or zazen are, or if you imagine a state that is created when not doing anything, please understand that those are imagination and they are not correct. If you think you know what satori is, even though satori has not happened, what you think you know is a mistake and an obstacle to practice.
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3.  The inability to believe that not doing anything will enable satori and feeling like you are wasting your time.  You think you don't want to continue zazen, or start trying something else (e.g. meditation techniques, etc.)

As explained before, as long as you are mentally trying to create and maintain what you think is a good state, Truth will not be revealed. If you do not understand this, please read “Satori & Truth” again, or feel free to ask me questions during our zazen gatherings.


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​■Necessity of Teacher

​To be able to sit correctly, it is important that you have a teacher who is already clear on Truth.
Such teacher can:

Once you learn correct zazen, it is not difficult at all. Anyone can do zazen correctly at any time anywhere, under any circumstances—even while standing and feeling angry on a crowded train.