1. At soto-school, counting of breathing is soon replaced by just following the way of your breath into your nose and the way out. This is known as shikan-taza.
Most of the time the students are able to stay undistracted for a long period of time; if they get entangled in their thoughts, they quietly go back to the point of following their breath.
Shikan-taza is seen as one of the highest - and most difficult - za-zenlevels to maintain. The student is not supported by visualisations, declaim, stories or riddles; he or she's just considering the world, in the position like a mountain or a tree, inexorable and elevated. Thoughts, feelings, even the desire to satori:
it's all left behind.
Just sitting.
2. The practioner sits down, motionless.
Without thoughts, feelings or other ways of distraction.
Sitting itself is the manifestation of the true Buddha-nature.
Even satori or enlightment is seen as unneccesary,
There's only sitting like the Buddha .
Never distracted, empty inside.
No aim, no desire.
Nothing.
Just sitting.
3. While practicing shikan-taza, za-zen itself is the highest manifestation of a person's Buddha-nature.
More isn't neccesary. Some practioners of the sototschool convey this position further by saying satori unwanted, because it fosters attachement, while za-zen is the best which can be reached.
This is a real harsh philosofy, which demands a lot of confidence from its practioners.
It's rea;y difficult to adhere to this without the support of fellowpractioners and a roshi.
Za- Zen.
Just sitting.