Silent illumination is a Ch’an, or Zen, method of meditation described here by the Taiwanese Monk Sheng-yen.

When you first practice the Ch’an method of silent illumination, it is very simple. You just sit with the awareness that you are sitting. However, as your practice deepens, the method changes to where there is no method to speak of, even as you continue in the state of silent illumination. The silent aspect is achieved when wandering thoughts no longer trouble you. Illumination comes with being acutely aware of what is happening, even as your mind is silent.

Referred to as the method of no-method, silent illumination is not as goal oriented as the above quote may lead you to believe. Rather, it is a practice of basically just sitting there. It’s very accessible in that sense, and is fundamental to the spiritual development of generations of Buddhists with similar fears, racing thoughts, dreams, love affairs, successes, and failures as you and me.

In silent illumination you start with being aware that you are sitting. As you focus on being aware of yourself sitting, and the body sensation itself disappears, you should still maintain the thought that you are sitting. While you maintain this thought, be clearly aware of the environment around you. Be aware that the environment is also sitting with you. After that, you even put down the thought of “I am sitting” so that there is no “I” who is sitting. There is just a clarity that you maintain, but the “I” is not there.

I see silent illumination as a unique challenge to become comfortable in the present moment without any distractions pulling me into the past or future- a big task in today’s world. Might we all give it a try, and just sit?