Shishinsokuho
He was meditating intently in a Zen temple in a quiet forest. While the wind shook the trees and the rustling of the leaves tickled his ears, his mind was deeply still. There was a firm will in the depths of his eyes – a determination to master the Shishinsokuho, the core of the training for attaining enlightenment preached by the Buddha.
Shishinsokuho. It was not just a part of training. It was said to be the most important pillar of Buddhist teachings such as the Five Powers, the Four Pillars of Mindfulness, the Seven Enlightenment Points, and the Eightfold Path. This path, supported by the “Dharma,” was an absolute guide for him, and was worthy of his whole body and soul.
His training began with “mindfulness in the body.” This was an introspection of the body, with the aim of realizing that his own body is only a temporary existence made up of elements, born from parents, and sustained by food. He sat in meditation and focused his attention on breathing slowly. By deliberately controlling his breathing, the diencephalon and the nerves of the entire body are harmonized, bringing him closer to awakening.
Gradually, he progresses to the “stage of mindfulness”. At this stage of observing the senses, he learns to calmly look at the source of pain and pleasure. There is no attachment or rejection, only the sensations themselves. Then, as he advances to the “stage of mindfulness”, his mind is enveloped in complete silence. The ups and downs of thoughts and emotions disappear, and he looks at the true nature of the mind itself.
Finally, he reaches the “stage of mindfulness”. Here he is immersed in deep meditation on the truth itself. At this stage, he realizes the truth that everything in the world is impermanent and the cause of suffering. And the path to liberation from suffering becomes clear.
Through his training, his inner power blossoms even more. Of the four divine feet, the “desire divine feet” ignites his desire to achieve superior meditation, and in the “effort divine feet” he devotes himself to making this happen. By “mind and feet”, he was able to concentrate his mind deeply, and by “contemplation and feet”, he was able to use his wisdom to reach the depths of meditation.
As his training progressed, he felt a miraculous power awakening. It was called supernatural power. He felt the sensation of floating lightly in the air like a bird. He could vividly recall his past lives and even read the minds of others. As these abilities appeared one after another, his mind was free of all attachments and he moved towards ultimate enlightenment.
His diencephalon, awakened through breathing and meditation, seemed to emit a light. The light filled his whole body and enveloped him. All distracting thoughts disappeared, and he was grateful for the beauty of simply being.
Then, one day, his consciousness expanded in silence, and at the moment he transcended time and space, he reached the state of enlightenment. There was no longer any suffering or desire. There was only one thing: eternal peace.
