"Robert E. Kennedy, S.J. is a Catholic priest and a Zen Master (Roshi). Ordained in Japan in 1965, he was installed as a Zen teacher in 1991, and given the title Roshi in 1997. Kennedy studied Zen with Yamada Roshi in Japan, Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles, and Bernard Glassman Roshi in New York. He teaches theology and Japanese language at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. KennedyRoshi sits with his Zen students on a daily basis at the Morning Star Zendo in Jersey City and with students in twelve other zendos. He is the author of "Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit" and "Zen Gifts to Christians".
"Zen is not confined to Zazen, the seated meditation on the cushion. Zen is a way of life, and the whole of life is the field of Zen. However, seated meditation or Zazen - which comprises both shikantaza and koan meditation - is central to the Zen way. Zazen is to Zen what the Eucharist is to the Christian Church..."
"What is central in shikantaza or just-sitting is just that-just sitting,
being here and now, being present; letting-go and letting-be.
It is not a matter of trying to achieve some particular state of consciousness.
Not trying to achieve anything, and not trying not to achieve anything.
No goals, no comparisons, no judgments, no achievements.
It is just be-ing there, present, aware and grounded in body awareness.
Be-ing-with oneself, being one's self, being-with all. In a deep sense,
Zazen is consciousness becoming conscious of itself, awareness resting on awareness.
It is the transformation of body-mind-universe into a non-dual awareness/consciousness.
Another approach is suggested by this koan:
During Dokusan a Jesuit who had practiced Zen for years
Complained that even in his deepest Zazen there was still conflict, still two:
God and Himself; separate from God and wanting Oneness.
The Roshi encouraged him by saying that soon there would be just One, just Himself.
The Jesuit replied he wanted there to be just God.
The Roshi said "exactly what I said, Father!"