Eckhart and Dōgen on Forgetting the Self: A Contemplative Studies Perspective

Meister Eckhart is considered by some the quintessential Christian mystic. Since the early twentieth century, his thought has been compared to Zen Buddhism. This chapter will first give a brief overview of the various approaches to Eckhart-Zen studies. Consequently, Eckhart’s notion of the ongoing birth of the Son of God in the soul will be discussed further. It will explore the affinities between Eckhart’s contemplative project (illuminating the ongoing birth of the Son of God in the soul) and the Mahayana Buddhist contemplative project (illuminating and participating in the continuous self-revelation of one’s own inherent Buddha Nature), especially as presented by the Zen thinker Eihei Dōgen. Dōgen’s presentation of zazen sitting practice as an ongoing contemplative practice that enacts “forgetting the self” will be used to shed light on Eckhart’s contemplative practice.