841Uif

STUDENT J I 145world seems to be another world from that of"Who am I?" Dreamingis such a waste of time and energy. How can I avoid it?Rosm: Generally, active people who have little time for sleepdream only occasionally, whereas those who sleep long hours havemany dreams. Also, those who have much time on their hands tendto dream a great deal, as do those who sleep on their back. One wayto stop yourself from dreaming, of course, is to sleep less, but if youdon't get enough rest, you are likely to nap during zazen. You willnotice in pictures of the reclining Buddha that he is resting on hisright side. For many reasons this is a good position for sleeping.STUDENT: In my work-either doing laundry or cleaning up-1often fmd myself daydreaming. What can I do about that?Rosm: While cleaning continue to question, "Who am I?" Noother thoughts will enter your mind if the questioning is sufficientlyintense. It is only because you separate yourself from your koan thatdaydreams occur.* * *Rosm : Is there anything you wish to say or ask?STUDENT: From five this morning up to now [3 p.m.] I have beensteadily asking myself"Who am I?" Sometimes the question has absorbed me, but most of the time I have been just plain bored. Why doI get bored?Rosm : Probably because you are not yet convinced that throughsuch questioning you can perceive your True-nature and thus attainlasting peace of mind. When those who have experienced a greatdeal of pain in life hear the truth of Buddhism and begin to practicezazen, they usually want to get kensho quickly in order to relievetheir own sufferings as well as those of others.STUDENT : Part of the reason I find it so hard to concentrate is that thenew monitor we have is roaring at us all and clouting everyone so hard.Rosm: You need only ask yourself ((Who is listening to all thisshouting?" Don't make a problem of it, it is no concern of yours.STUDENT: It is impossible for me to be indifferent to it. On eitherside of me the sitters are being struck so hard that I shudder every timeI hear the kyosaku. I tried to ask myself u Who is listening to all thishorrible shouting?" but I was so upset I couldn't continue.ROSHI : These people around you are close to kensho, that is why