The Zen Master's Dance - 22 - King of Samadhis (Bottom of p. 80 to Top of p. 84)

[Jundo]

Dear Bodyminds that are not Bodyminds,

We continue from the end of p. 80 ("Clearly, for the last four or five hundred years ... "), ending at the very top of p. 84 (just before "The Buddha Shakyamuni addressed a great assembly ... ")

Zazen of the body, of the mind, of the bodymind, of the bodymind that is not the bodymind.

I believe that there is Zazen which is more a mental experience of clarity and letting go ...

... and more a bodily experience, such as in dancing or sports ...

... but truly Zazen is always both.

More than words, this must be experienced.

I have developed the theory, based on years of observing many kinds of Zazen practitioners, that different folks tend to lean to different poles of mind/body/bodymind forms of Zazen. Which do you feel suits you most?

Do you think that physical activity (e.g., dancing, hiking, weight training, etc.) can perfectly substitute for seated still Zazen? Or do your feel that there is something special about seated Zazen that is unlike moving Zazen? (Hint: I am completely biased toward this latter "position," pun intended. )

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Koriki]

I think that moving Zazen is a fantastic practice, but is different than seated Zazen. I used to run in a forested park before work each morning and used this as a mindfulness exercise. I wore "barefoot" shoes (lightweight) so that I could feel each footfall vs having my feet in huge blocks that dulled the experience. I chose to not listen to music and would instead pay attention to my breathing and the cool morning air. When thoughts would pop up I would focus on my feet or breath and they would drift off.

While I can no longer run, I have recently been able to do walking meditation in the same park I used to run in. It is a completely different experience. The slower pace lets me really experience my surroundings, the sights, sounds and smells really pop out as I mindfully walk in the forest. Whereas with running, it was a more bodily experience as I felt every breath, footfall, and twinge of discomfort.

Seated Zazen is different for me. There is less sensory stimulation to use as a redirection from thoughts. In the stillness there is more opportunity to lose track of the body, but it is also much easier to get lost in thought.
I think that seated Zazen is best, but there is also something special about moving Zazen. It might allow an easier transition from practice to the regular world.

Gassho,
Koriki
s@lah

[Furyu]

Seated zazen is definitely where I go first. For me, sitting is about both (but neither) body-mind. That is the practice that allows me to let all of the inseparable body-mind-aggregate be. Zazen is the place of coming home. More physically-oriented activities that can work for me tend to be more focused and require single-minded attention. Like cleaning and organizing the spice cupboard, putting together a model kit, things like that. In a group sport setting, I am too focused on everything that is going on and while there is a certain amount of large awareness going on, it is not the same.
Gasshō
sat-lah
Fūryū

[Hokuu]

I have developed the theory, based on years of observing many kinds of Zazen practitioners, that different folks tend to lean to different poles of mind/body/bodymind forms of Zazen. Which do you feel suits you most?
Do you think that physical activity (e.g., dancing, hiking, weight training, etc.) can perfectly substitute for seated still Zazen? Or do your feel that there is something special about seated Zazen that is unlike moving Zazen?

Although I see how I can have something similar to "zen-mind" while hiking or alike, I believe that the still pose has the benefit of being able to really drop off of everything. Also, being still (as opposed to being in some action or movement) can be challenging and a good teacher - Stat crux dum volvitur orbis - where it's not the cross that's standing but myself that's sitting

Gassho
Hokuu
satlah