The Zen Master's Dance - 21 - King of Samadhis (Middle of p. 78 to Bottom of p. 80)

[Jundo]

Dear Bodyminds,

We continue from the middle of page 78 (after the paragraph about gold statues), to the end of p. 80 (just before "Clearly, for the last four or five hundred years ... ").

Some folks say that Zazen is primarily a physical, body practice, in which the mind is dropped away while allowing the body to "take over," whether in cleaning, gardening or, of course, sitting in the posture of Zazen.

Some folks say that Zazen is a mental practice of letting thoughts go without tangling with them, dropping judgements, sitting in equanimity.

I say (and I believe that Dogen would agree) that mind is body, body is mind, and that Zazen practice has aspects of both. This is true during seated Zazen, but also during "Zazen in motion" when we pour ourselves into a physical activity.

Question: Have you every had the experience of facing a problem in life but, in pouring yourself into some physical activity, sports activity, dance, cleaning, seated Zazen or the like, the problem and other thoughts/judgements/concerns seemed to drop away? Can you describe the experience briefly?

Next, some folks mistake the point of Zen practice as learning to do "one thing in one moment" for EVERY moment, always "being in the now, being in the moment." I think that is a bit of a misunderstanding, and not practical. While it is a wonderful, treasured skill to develop to be able to do that sometimes (e.g., when drinking tea, just drink tea; when playing with the kids, just be present playing with the kids) it is not necessary or realistic for busy, modern human beings all or even most of the time.

I prefer to emphasize being "at one with the moment" even if that moment is pure, terrible, busy busy chaos!

Do you see how that is different?

The example I sometimes give is when I rushed my daughter to the E.R., half unconscious, with a raging fever due to blood scepsis, the doctors telling me it would be touch and go through the night. Although she was fine in the end, that night was hell. Nonetheless, part of me (the fruit of this practice) was accepting and allowing of this chaotic, terrible hell in that moment. Even as I cried and feared for what might happen, I allowed my tears and fear.

Question: Can you describe what a moment in your life that is chaotic (it does not need to be terrible or "life and death," only "multi-tasking" busy, or pain in the neck bothersome, or some small life confusion or disaster) would be like if you "let the moment be the moment?"

Gassho, J
STLah

[DaveSumner]

Question: Have you every had the experience of facing a problem in life but, in pouring yourself into some physical activity, sports activity, dance, cleaning, seated Zazen or the like, the problem and other thoughts/judgements/concerns seemed to drop away? Can you describe the experience briefly? - Answer: Almost a year ago I lost my job, I was out of work for about a month. My wife and I live paycheck to paycheck, so being out of work was very stressful. During this period I took time out to play disc golf. I play with a group of great guys and during our games I remember noticing the stress and anxiety slip away.

Question: Can you describe what a moment in your life that is chaotic (it does not need to be terrible or "life and death," only "multi-tasking" busy, or pain in the neck bothersome, or some small life confusion or disaster) would be like if you "let the moment be the moment?" - Answer: I think for myself, driving would be a good example. For work I drive heavy equipment. There are times when I’m driving a big truck and pulling a trailer with heavy product. When I’m driving through tunnels or in busy congested traffic or through tight inner city streets or construction sites I have to be very focused. During these times of driving I’m not thinking about anything but what I’m doing. However, when I’m just in my own car driving to work or going to play disc golf or to the grocery store, etc… I find that I often allow myself to use those times to think about “stuff” or talk to someone else if I’m not alone. It’s funny though; just the other day, it was beautiful outside and the sun was setting. I was coming from the grocery store. I was being very present throughout the store. So I continued being present while I was pulling up to the street from the parking lot. As I was about to turn. I had a satori moment and my mind and body completely slipped away. Of course it was only for a couple of seconds but I quickly snapped out of it and looked into my rearview mirror to see if there were any cars behind me. Luckily there wasn’t, I giggled a little as I made my turn and drove home. So yeah, that was a good example I think of needing to stay with the moment .

Gasshō, Dave.
sat/lah

[DaveSumner]

If you will allow me? I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to share a thought in this thread or if I should start a new post and leave this thread to just the answered questions. So I apologize ahead of time if I’m making a mistake, please forgive me. But…

Speaking for myself, staying present and or practicing mindfulness is a very large part of my practice. It’s well, essential for me. From someone who battles with extreme anxiety and mood swings, not practicing isn’t an option for me.

But I think we’re still talking about the same thing. What I’m referring to is recognizing the discriminatory mind activity. Also recognizing the slipping back in time thought patterns and or the storytelling and projection patterns. All of which are attached to the false ego I. All of which bring attachment and dukkha. This is what my mindfulness practice is mainly for. But of course it is also so that I can live in the here and now. In reality and not in delusion, which I have done for the majority of my adult life which has resulted in extreme suffering.

Gasshō, Dave.
sat/lah

[Jundo]

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If mindfulness helps you, then practice being mindful.

But also fully accept and embrace those times in life when feeling anxious or mood swings. They are like passing storms. Don't fight the rain, even as you open your umbrella. Accept and flow with the times of unemployment, even as you worry about paying the bills and search for another job. Embrace even the times of worry.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Koriki]

Question: Have you ever had the experience of facing a problem in life but, in pouring yourself into some physical activity, sports activity, dance, cleaning, seated Zazen or the like, the problem and other thoughts/judgements/concerns seemed to drop away? Can you describe the experience briefly?

I found skiing to be good for setting aside worries. When you have to focus intensely on what you're doing while also enjoying the environment, there are no problems. If you're not mentally present for skiing you will fall.

Question: Can you describe what a moment in your life that is chaotic (it does not need to be terrible or "life and death," only "multi-tasking" busy, or pain in the neck bothersome, or some small life confusion or disaster) would be like if you "let the moment be the moment?"

Sometimes when my illness is worse I'll have a lot of trouble processing information to the point that I might struggle with how to make a fork work. And during those few hours I know that it works better if I can just "go with it" vs get upset about it, as that little bit of emotion tends to make it even worse.

Several years ago my family and I watched the 3rd season of Twin Peaks and in that season there was a character named Dougie. Dougie was someone who, because of David Lynch circumstances, was very slow mentally to the point that he could barely function, but he was also very kind and compassionate. I really identified with this character as his experience matched how I felt at my worst cognitive moments. So, when that confusion surfaces for me I try to remember that I will just have to be Dougie for a while until I improve, and that kind of makes it ok.

Gassho, Koriki
s@lah

[Hokuu]

Question: Have you every had the experience of facing a problem in life but, in pouring yourself into some physical activity, sports activity, dance, cleaning, seated Zazen or the like, the problem and other thoughts/judgements/concerns seemed to drop away? Can you describe the experience briefly?

In general, long hikes (not as long as Soka's daily running, though ) help tackle all these recurrent thoughts about different future scenarios. Usually, it needs a certain amount of tiredness to happen.
Also, I noticed how anxiety disappears when I catch a cold and have a fever.

Question: Can you describe what a moment in your life that is chaotic (it does not need to be terrible or "life and death," only "multi-tasking" busy, or pain in the neck bothersome, or some small life confusion or disaster) would be like if you "let the moment be the moment?"

Multitasking is my bread and butter - I multitask and switch context all day long, and often beyond. Moments of a few deep breaths and refocusing help to distance oneself from the frenziness of the moment. They love the "sense of urgency" in the corporate world, but I learn to find stillness in the middle of the storm we create for ourselves.

Gassho
Hokuu
satlah

[Furyu]

Q1 - I can't really think of something specific for this one. When I feel overwhelmed or if too much is going on, I'll often turn to reading. I suppose it steers the mind away from its worries for a while - forcing the practice of 'being in the moment', I suppose. There are physicial activities that can suspend thinking about problems (for me, curling, playing music or my work, teaching in a classroom) but it seems to me that those are diversion tactics. To have the problems drop away, or to allow them to be without investing our energy in them requires a shift in mindset. That is the 'be with the moment part'.

Q2 - I'm terrible at multi-tasking! When things get too much... looking after an aging parent, grading midterms, preparing classes, worrying about health issues, about our garage door, preparing meetings, etc. There's a point when the only thing to do is to let it all be, and then carry on. It seems to me that this is part of our practice. See things as they are and be comfortable with the discomfort to the extent possible. And continue with life the best we can.

Gasshō
sat-lah
Fūryū

[Jundo]

Multi-Tasking Bodhisattva ...

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