Silent Illumination is another name for Shikantaza, or “just sitting”. It is a method of meditation used in the Soto school of Zen and in Chan Buddhism in China. In this form of meditation there is no object of concentration, rather we allow our awareness to rest without attaching to any condition arising within the mind. As we practice Silent Illumination thoughts, images, feelings all arise within the mind and body but instead of attaching our awareness to them or entertaining them we simply observe them as they appear. Just as soon as we observe them from the ground of neutral awareness they then disappear, or dissolve from the field of consciousness. Silent Illumination is simply resting in this neutral awareness without getting pulled into the realm of duality in the mind. This awareness is neutral in that it does not have any opinions about what is arising and dissolving on the surface of the mind/body. This awareness is open and clear and over time it reveals itself to have a luminous quality. As we practice in this way life begins to unfold deeper dimensions of being, existence, and bliss. These are simply aspects of ourselves which were hidden from view due to the conditioning of the mind. Here at Sanctuary of the Heart we explore our true selves through Silent Illumination. As we sit silently in this method we begin to see that this is much more than just a method of meditation, it becomes a state of being, a state of resting in our natural, unconditioned self. In Zen this is referred to as Original Face.