Shin-jin Datsu Raku is "body and mind fall away." What are this body and mind being fallen away. These refer to attachments, distractions and the neuronal gossip of life in our bodys with our own minds. Three quotes to help clearify. One attributed to the Buddha, one to Aitken Roshi and one by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche via Tricycle's Daily Dharma email newsletter.

The Buddha said, “Luminous is this mind, brightly shining, but it is colored by attachments that visit it. This unlearned people do not really understand, and so do not cultivate the mind. Luminous is this mind, brightly shining, and it is free of the attachments that visit it. This the noble follower of the way really understands; so for them there is cultivation of the mind.”

Aitken Roshi said, “It may seem to us that there are things more important than counting the breaths, breathing Mu or the salient point of a particular koan. But in fact all these thing are simply distractions.”

"The neuronal gossip that keeps you from seeing your mind in its fullness doesn’t really change the fundamental nature of your mind. Thoughts like “I’m ugly,” “I’m stupid,” or “I’m boring” are nothing more than a kind of biological mud, temporarily obscuring the brilliant qualities of Buddha nature, or natural mind." 

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Oh! Time for breakfast.

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Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.