login
All questionsQuestions about:Daily lifePersonal challengesSutrasZazenZen tradition

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Open all the senses, all the feelings without adding any opinions, judgements or comments of good or bad...
Harada Roshi


< Back to Question and Answer

Sometimes when I sit meditation my hands merge together as if there are no boundaries. I check my posture. Everything seems ok. I once asked a teacher not a Zen teacher about this and he became angry and said We do not teach that here. That was about 3 years ago. But it still happens. Is this something to discourage? And how would I do that? Thank you.


February 28, 2021, 8:25 pm

Zazen changes according to the depth of mind. When we are not so used to zazen yet, that outer awareness of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling is strong. The deeper our zazen gets, this awareness becomes less and the subconscious becomes apparent.

I do not know about your actual condition, but this subconscious expresses itself in many ways. Often it is called Makyo: the hands become extremely huge, the body becomes extremely small or extended, we feel as if we are flying in the sky – strange experiences appear. Of course, this only happens when the mind is quiet and in a deep space. If you do not add any attention to this, it will disappear. The point of zazen is to experience the mind which is clear and bright, not holding onto anything. From there a new mind is born which experiences the joy of being at one with the world. This is the correct practice


Due to Roshi's busy schedule this year, we are currently not accepting any new questions at this time

Your question to Harada Roshi

Characters remaining 1000

Please check previous questions before submitting to avoid duplication

Submit question