Hi!
Let's get a thread going about how we can practice WITH our various conditions. Someone may just come up with an idea or suggestion that makes all the difference in the world to someone else!
For example, with Parkinsons, I almost always have to sit on a stool or bench, and I've found one that works perfectly.
On a less obvious level, I have hand tremors, particularly on the left side. That can be frustrating because when ol' lefty decides to start dancing around during zazen, it can be very distracting. I tried for a long time to "control" it, but found I was just thinking about my hand the whole time. Then I tried just.. you know... letting 'er rip! Let that hand go ahead and jiggle and twitch if it wants! (That was worse, and looked really weird.)
Know what? I was WAY too focused on "doing it right," and that was keeping me from just... sitting. The simple solution? Hand position. If it starts to go, all I really need to do is interlace my fingers. That holds it still, and I can regain my focus and sit properly.
I think we do that, especially as "beginners..." We get so caught up in the "stuff..." Is my posture perfect? Are my feet at the right position? Am I swallowing too much? Am I supposed to blink like this? Wait... was that breath number seven or eight... oh, hell... one... tewo... thr... WOW! My foot's asleep! Did I leave the iron on? No no no... that's a thought... ok. Breathe in. One. Two... I have an itch. Do I scratch the itch? Wait... what number was that...
... you get it. We lose the whole plot. And, for those of us with some different needs or abilities, it gets even wierder... like... "Wait... doe it even 'count' if I do it this way instead?"
IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE LIKE THAT.
For those of us who have certain difficulties or limitations, adaptations can be made. As a character once said in a movie, "It's a big world, friend. If it doesn't fit, you make alterations!"
SO. Do you have a "work-around" you've found that helps you out? Share it! It may be just the thing for someone else! Or, do you have any issues you'd like to discuss and find possible solutions for?
I'd love to hear, and maybe we can help each other!
Come on in! Have a seat!
Sat today.
Comfortably!
Lent A Hand. Gonna try to do more.
Not a teacher, just another learner, trying to find and share a little traction in an otherwise slippery environment!
Let's get a thread going about how we can practice WITH our various conditions. Someone may just come up with an idea or suggestion that makes all the difference in the world to someone else!
For example, with Parkinsons, I almost always have to sit on a stool or bench, and I've found one that works perfectly.
On a less obvious level, I have hand tremors, particularly on the left side. That can be frustrating because when ol' lefty decides to start dancing around during zazen, it can be very distracting. I tried for a long time to "control" it, but found I was just thinking about my hand the whole time. Then I tried just.. you know... letting 'er rip! Let that hand go ahead and jiggle and twitch if it wants! (That was worse, and looked really weird.)
Know what? I was WAY too focused on "doing it right," and that was keeping me from just... sitting. The simple solution? Hand position. If it starts to go, all I really need to do is interlace my fingers. That holds it still, and I can regain my focus and sit properly.
I think we do that, especially as "beginners..." We get so caught up in the "stuff..." Is my posture perfect? Are my feet at the right position? Am I swallowing too much? Am I supposed to blink like this? Wait... was that breath number seven or eight... oh, hell... one... tewo... thr... WOW! My foot's asleep! Did I leave the iron on? No no no... that's a thought... ok. Breathe in. One. Two... I have an itch. Do I scratch the itch? Wait... what number was that...
... you get it. We lose the whole plot. And, for those of us with some different needs or abilities, it gets even wierder... like... "Wait... doe it even 'count' if I do it this way instead?"
IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE LIKE THAT.
For those of us who have certain difficulties or limitations, adaptations can be made. As a character once said in a movie, "It's a big world, friend. If it doesn't fit, you make alterations!"
SO. Do you have a "work-around" you've found that helps you out? Share it! It may be just the thing for someone else! Or, do you have any issues you'd like to discuss and find possible solutions for?
I'd love to hear, and maybe we can help each other!
Come on in! Have a seat!
Sat today.
Comfortably!
Lent A Hand. Gonna try to do more.
Not a teacher, just another learner, trying to find and share a little traction in an otherwise slippery environment!
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