Zazen: Not Sitting is as Vital as Sitting

[Nenka]

There are usually physical reasons for headaches. C B T is cognitive behavioral therapy growing, sometimes used R B T rational emotive therapy. Look these up on Wikipedia, IS FAR AWAY FROM Freud. Ti's based on thinking, and then feeling follows. This uses a 3 and 4 part model teaching that faulty thinking can be self diagnosed, with resting the impasse, or problem in the thoughts that make the problem. What might have taken 20 years, can take 6 or 7. My therapy took about 6 years for my therapist to pronounce me fairly normal. I went from values of 3 on anxiety and depression scales to 9 almost none. I am a secure stable man, and I know my limits. Generally I just walk away from altercations. I'm sure there are diagnostic manuals in many languages. SO do not worry about English language. Find something in your own language. AND Jundo makes us all better, he is a great man, great teacher-- Jundo Roshi

Tai Shi
sat/lah
Gassho

Yes! I'm a big fan of RBT. I usually read Albert Ellis when I'm having a spell of anxiety and it helps.

Also, hey there Ola and Ekai! It's getting like a class reunion up in here.

Gassho

Jen

ST

[Tai Shi]

Hi all I’m returning to sitting later today. I’ve been laid up from an operation that saved my walking. I was slowly becoming used to meditation then I found Treelief Zendo and Jukai but most of all simple nonjudgment teaching about the easiest ways to learn sitting. Zen was no longer stepped in mystic clouds but a straight forward way of sitting Zazen. Actually the rituals are beautiful and yet the practice is easy it’s the doing that’s hard. But dear I say this there is so much love and compassion in all these words! I only wonder about folks who cannot learn English, or write or have no computer skills to save all sentient beings


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[Onka]

Thank you Jundo.

I preface what I say below by mentioning that for me 'sitting' Zazen in the traditional sense of on Zafu with legs wrapped up like pretzels is not possible for me due to spinal disabilities. My sitting is on a cushion with a cutaway so that there is minimal pressure of any kind on my spine whilst also sitting on a chair with a high backrest. Oftentimes it's also reclined in order to take more pressure off of my spine. And sometimes my sitting is laying down.

To date I've caught myself holding a lot of tension, especially in my legs as I try to keep stability in my spine, and spend a few moments concentrating on letting the tension go, which I'm doing ok with. Now I find myself letting my breathing slip in that instead of deep yogic breaths from the diaphragm I easily slip into more relaxed shallow breathing.
I am worried that if, through pain, discomfort and the distractions above how the hell I'm going to ever be able to participate in the weekly Zazenkai let alone the expectations of Ango. The pressure I place on myself is pretty ridiculous even I'll admit but how do I stop mixing my ambition with my ability? LOL! In all seriousness though, I have recognised that I, and others benefit from me sitting Zazen, being a student of this Sangha and the associated discipline it entails.
I appreciate any and all contributions to my learning.

For the record, I seem to be a better 'doing' Zen practitioner as it is generally a LOT less painful on my spine. Anyway...

Gassho, Anna.

ST/LAH

[Kevin M]

Zazenkai is recorded. You could just “sit” it via the recording over a longer period, taking breaks if it gets too much.
Just a thought

Gassho,
Kevin
SAT


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[Jundo]

Thank you Jundo.

I preface what I say below by mentioning that for me 'sitting' Zazen in the traditional sense of on Zafu with legs wrapped up like pretzels is not possible for me due to spinal disabilities. My sitting is on a cushion with a cutaway so that there is minimal pressure of any kind on my spine whilst also sitting on a chair with a high backrest. Oftentimes it's also reclined in order to take more pressure off of my spine. And sometimes my sitting is laying down.

To date I've caught myself holding a lot of tension, especially in my legs as I try to keep stability in my spine, and spend a few moments concentrating on letting the tension go, which I'm doing ok with. Now I find myself letting my breathing slip in that instead of deep yogic breaths from the diaphragm I easily slip into more relaxed shallow breathing.
I am worried that if, through pain, discomfort and the distractions above how the hell I'm going to ever be able to participate in the weekly Zazenkai let alone the expectations of Ango. The pressure I place on myself is pretty ridiculous even I'll admit but how do I stop mixing my ambition with my ability? LOL! In all seriousness though, I have recognised that I, and others benefit from me sitting Zazen, being a student of this Sangha and the associated discipline it entails.
I appreciate any and all contributions to my learning.

For the record, I seem to be a better 'doing' Zen practitioner as it is generally a LOT less painful on my spine. Anyway...

Gassho, Anna.

ST/LAH

Hi Anna,

Join Zaznekai in bits, or if live, recline or change positions from time to time. All good. Just find some reasonable comfortable positions sitting, reclining, standing or on you head! :-)

And even then ... if it is only physically possible for you to sit 5 minutes, then sit 5 minutes with the attitude that it holds and embodies all the universe since the Big Bang.

Capiche?

Gassho, J

STLah

[Onka]

Capiche
Currently sitting 30 mins at least once a
day most days. Minimum 20 minutes every day.
Ango goal is 45 minutes morning and evening.

Gassho, Anna

ST/LAH

[Risho]

Thank you for this; I took a long break; getting back on the horse

gassho

Risho
st

[Tai Shi]

My knees are titanium, the newest fastened into femur and tibia with rods so expensive, into bone, and my spine is nearly rigid, my neck sometime on fire from pain, and truly I control deep nerve damage with collars of ice, Sometimes our mattress is lined with Ice packs, the fire of my pain simmers into pool of cool relief, but early, yes before my medications at 5 a.m. I sit when pain is minimal. And, straight backed chair with chair Buddha cushion made in monastery, this I purchased for $40. I have found sometimes, not often but much, three times fully there on camera for Sangha of our Zazenkai. Much in thanks for recorded rituals, and together sitting, and by 11 inch (ca. 28 cm) Chromebook on my altar where I can sit and see our Zazenkai, other times when back needs more support in front of my 22 inch (0.56 m) screen for my desktop computer, I sit in padded office chair with sides padded, so I don't fall out, and pain is minimal. Ah, recordings, ice, cushions specifically for my chair before my alter, and sessions can take place in segments without so much pain, otherwise blades of steel would cut my nerves to pottery shards. My accommodations will let me partake of sitting, just sitting, just practice Shikantaza with my gift of Rakusu, with my computer Zendo, so how do some partake with no computer, no brick or wood Sangha near? This year for Ango, I'm giving up nine years of Facebook, giving it up for good, I'm sitting more regularly, increasing daily Shikantaza as I can. Loving my wife by obeying as I never have so much-- she has the gift of common sense. Letting my daughter explain, paying closer attention to her words at our weekly, family speaker phone calls, the three of us, mom anthropologist quality control in retirement, daughter, soon doctor Laurel, and dad, poet anonymous but gifted. Laurels reserved for our only miracle child, so difficult to be fully present, but this I will try.

Tai Shi
sat
Gassho

[Seishin]

Deep bows and metta Tai Shi for all your suffering.

Sat / lah

[Onka]

Thank you for sharing how you are able to participate Tai Shi.
I am humbled by your efforts and in many ways can truly empathise with your challenges.

Gassho
Anna

Sat today

[Tomek]

Thank you Jundo.

Gassho 🙏🏻
Tomek

SatToday

[Nengei]

Thank you, Jundo.



然芸 Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

You deserve to be happy.
You deserve to be loved.

[Gukan]

Belatedly, thank you Jundo. This teaching was very helpful.

Gassho,
Libby
ST