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Dogen encourages practitioners to embrace the unknown and the ineffable in meditation from "summary" of Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation by Carl Bielefeldt
Dogen emphasizes the importance of approaching meditation with a sense of wonder and openness, rather than seeking to grasp or understand it intellectually. He suggests that practitioners should let go of preconceived notions and surrender to the unfolding of the present moment. In this way, they can cultivate a sense of humility and receptivity, allowing for a deeper connection with the ineffable nature of reality. By encouraging practitioners to embrace the unknown, Dogen challenges them to move beyond the limitations of their conceptual thinking and intellectual understanding. He suggests that true insight and realization can only arise when one is willing to let go of their attachment to fixed ideas and beliefs. Instead, Dogen encourages practitioners to cultivate a sense of curiosity and wonder, approaching meditation with a beginner's mind. Dogen's teachings on the ineffable nature of meditation point to the idea that true awakening cannot be captured or articulated through words or concepts. He suggests that the deepest truths of existence are beyond the grasp of language and can only be experienced directly through practice. By letting go of the need to define or label their experiences, practitioners can open themselves up to a more direct and intimate encounter with reality. In embracing the unknown and the ineffable in meditation, practitioners are invited to cultivate a sense of trust and surrender. Rather than trying to control or manipulate their experiences, Dogen encourages them to let go of their egoic attachments and surrender to the natural unfolding of the present moment. In this way, they can cultivate a deeper sense of connection with the boundless and mysterious nature of reality.
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