Master Dogen's Shobogenzo: Book 1 - pb

Further investigation of "the samadhi of receiving and using the self."

The opening paragraph of Shobogenzo contains the expression "the samadhi of receiving and using the self." My teacher and co-translator Gudo Nishijima has for many years explained that "the samadhi of receiving and using the self" expresses balance of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. This balance is facilitated when the spine lengthens naturally, through the anti-gravity action of the postural reflexes. My understanding of this process has become much clearer due to training in the FM Alexander Technique. Nishijima Roshi himself has recently confirmed that, in his view also, "Buddhism and the Alexander Technique are based on the same principles. Relying upon the common basis we can explain both Buddhism and the Alexander Technique."