4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

[John]

Re: 4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

Great metaphors, Bill and Janice. And I agree with Kenneth that the books (and teachers) are good for inspiring, motivating us and increasing our understanding. Maybe they help us to 'awaken' a bit quicker too but we have to avoid being too attached to them or thinking that all will be revealed to us if we just get the right book or teaching. Mike Luetchford claims not to have studied any Buddhism except the teaching given by Dogen and Nishijima and I guess there's some merit in that,

Gassho,
John

[CinnamonGal]

Re: 4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

Uchiyama really makes one see that anything can be a toy.

Thanks for the links, Janice!

I sold my TV set this past Saturday, rearranged the furniture in the room, getting a well lit corner for zazen. TV was one of my favourate toys too and I realise the full extent of this "obesssion" only now that I cannot press the remote control button without actually knowing what I am doing and WHY. At the same time I wonder what my substitute toy will be. I spent almost the entire day reading, hanging out with the cats who were shocked to see me so available and responsive to their demands for attention... If these are my new toys at least they make me feel balanced at the end of the day.

Gassho,

Irina

[Janice]

Re: 4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

Hi Irina,

It welcome your posts as you go through the book.

My appreciation for my dog has grown as I've practiced. He's an English Setter who was rejected by his first owner for not being a good enough hunting dog. I may be reading or working on the computer and he comes and puts his head on my lap. He shows boundless love and I see such presence when I look in his eyes. And it reminds me to be fully present for him.

He's also been a big help in getting me up earlier to move to the cushion. When I was studying the paramita of exertion, the teacher at the Shambhala Center asked us to notice what was keeping us from sitting -- perhaps the comfort and warmth of the bed or something else. But at the time, I was just rising as the sun rose and then beginning the practice. So morning meditation didn't seem to require much exertion. In order to experience this differently, I started setting my meditation timer (which has an alarm feature) for 4:30am. If I don't arise soon afterwards, the dog will get up and I'll hear the click of his nails on the hardwood floor or I'll feel his nose nudge me gently. So I thank him for helping me. And it's not that he has to go outside. As I get up, he goes with me into the room where I sit and he just lies there quietly 5-8 feet away.

Enjoy your cats

Janice

[John]

Re: 4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

You sold your TV Irina? that's a drastic step! You must be really serious about your practice I just try to be selective about what I watch. Anyway - I don't find that many TV programmes interesting any more. But maybe that's because I'm getting old

Janice. You reminded me of the little border collie/cross dog I had to have put down 3 1/2 years ago. I had him nearly 14 years and still miss him. He used to sit beside my bed and stare at me when he thought it was time I got up in the morning (he didn't make any noise). You get so attached to pets and their lifespan is so short Don't know the answer to that - but I decided not to get another dog. I would find it too difficult to look after one now and it wouldn't be fair to the dog.

Gassho,
John

[CinnamonGal]

Re: 4/4 - Sesshins without Toys p. 61

Janice: thank you for sharing the experience. For most part of my life I thought of myself as a "dog person" but when I got the cats I realised I knew as little about them as about myself :? . Mine are a great help in my practice. For a while I could get very irritated with one of them who was very verbal and "spoke up" when she needed attention. Which is exactly when I was busy doing something else. :mrgreen: I noticed that the sounds she made brought out a wave of irritation in me. Noted that and started using that as a check in point for where my mind was at the moment of the sound. Bringing myself to the moment also helped me to see my cats and their need for attention.

Interesting observation: my dog could stay with me for as long as I would allow it. If one of my cats comes to me and I start clapping it, looking her in the eye or not, whenever my mind wonders off from where my hand she feels it and goes away! At first it puzzled and irritated me - you should be thankful I am sitting here with you! - but now I use these moments as a clapping zazen moment. Just see what is there and stay with it. And I see so much, they are truly beautiful creatures! I only have one complain: I cannot leave the zabuton on the floor by the wall where i would like to keep it. As soon as I am off it, one of them checks in (leaving half of her fur on it).
One of them comes to sit with me, actually.

John: Yes, I did. Quit it cold turkey. :mrgreen: (Tony tought me the expression, I hope I used it correctly 8) ).
I love independent films a LOT and would like to see more of those instead of sitcoms that become an easy choice when one feels tired after work. So out it went, just like that and none of us here misses it. :lol:

I can relate to what you said about developing a bond with the pets. Well, mine have been with me for 10 years now and it feels the three of us girls are still in pretty good shape and I hope all of us will stick around for a while longer. :roll:

Meta,

Irina & company