Dear all
This is a substantial chapter so we will need three weeks to go through it. The first section comprises pages 119-127 (from the beginning of the chapter up until ‘Learning to Take the Body’s Point of View’)
Darlene begins this chapter by observing that Americans (and by that, we can read the western world, at least, and it may well apply to other places) prefer activities which have a clear end result rather than the goalless practice of Zazen. Our culture also judges us by our achievements and how much we produce. She notes that even on vacation we can substitute work activities for a hectic schedule of ‘fun’.
If we follow this goal-oriented way of being, how much are we listening to what our body needs, and how much are we using it as a physical tool to achieve our desires? We can often go through a day without registering our body except for essentials such as washing, toileting and eating/refuelling (and even then we can often skip or rush through these activities).
Darlene suggests that we can move our focus to our bodies even when doing goal-oriented activities. Once the initial planning is over, we are free to feel the sensations of our keys on the computer keyboard (as I am now), the warmth of water as we do the dishes, and the feel of our feet on the ground as we move from one activity to the next. She also notes that we can get into a habit of switching between the physical and mental so as not to neglect our body.
Darlene goes on to talk about The One Who Is Not Busy (which comes from the koan Ungan Sweeps the Ground, Book of Equanimity Case 21). She points to the importance of sitting practice in allowing us to notice sensations we might not previously be aware of, and sense those as well as the mental space of thoughts with which we are often preoccupied.
Being aware of bodily sensations can connect us profoundly with the whole world of form and sensation and be deeply healing. That is not to say we should attach to it, but rather give it our gentle and curious attention.
Darlene points out that there are many reasons to connect more with our physical self, a key one of which is re-engaging with a part of our reality that we can often neglect, giving us a more three dimensional experience of life. Zen practice is about being with what is, rather than our mental picture of what is, and bodily sensations are a huge part of that. Tapping into bodily sensations can also put us in touch with The One Who Is Not Busy rather than the mind that often seems to be always planning, reflecting and analysing.
Question prompts:
1. How does it feel when you sit in touch with your bodily sensations rather than your thoughts?
2. How often during the day do you take time to do this whether through sitting or mindfully using your body, whether through exercise or everyday physical tasks?
Wishing you all a healthful week.
Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-
This is a substantial chapter so we will need three weeks to go through it. The first section comprises pages 119-127 (from the beginning of the chapter up until ‘Learning to Take the Body’s Point of View’)
Darlene begins this chapter by observing that Americans (and by that, we can read the western world, at least, and it may well apply to other places) prefer activities which have a clear end result rather than the goalless practice of Zazen. Our culture also judges us by our achievements and how much we produce. She notes that even on vacation we can substitute work activities for a hectic schedule of ‘fun’.
If we follow this goal-oriented way of being, how much are we listening to what our body needs, and how much are we using it as a physical tool to achieve our desires? We can often go through a day without registering our body except for essentials such as washing, toileting and eating/refuelling (and even then we can often skip or rush through these activities).
Darlene suggests that we can move our focus to our bodies even when doing goal-oriented activities. Once the initial planning is over, we are free to feel the sensations of our keys on the computer keyboard (as I am now), the warmth of water as we do the dishes, and the feel of our feet on the ground as we move from one activity to the next. She also notes that we can get into a habit of switching between the physical and mental so as not to neglect our body.
Darlene goes on to talk about The One Who Is Not Busy (which comes from the koan Ungan Sweeps the Ground, Book of Equanimity Case 21). She points to the importance of sitting practice in allowing us to notice sensations we might not previously be aware of, and sense those as well as the mental space of thoughts with which we are often preoccupied.
Being aware of bodily sensations can connect us profoundly with the whole world of form and sensation and be deeply healing. That is not to say we should attach to it, but rather give it our gentle and curious attention.
Darlene points out that there are many reasons to connect more with our physical self, a key one of which is re-engaging with a part of our reality that we can often neglect, giving us a more three dimensional experience of life. Zen practice is about being with what is, rather than our mental picture of what is, and bodily sensations are a huge part of that. Tapping into bodily sensations can also put us in touch with The One Who Is Not Busy rather than the mind that often seems to be always planning, reflecting and analysing.
Question prompts:
1. How does it feel when you sit in touch with your bodily sensations rather than your thoughts?
2. How often during the day do you take time to do this whether through sitting or mindfully using your body, whether through exercise or everyday physical tasks?
Wishing you all a healthful week.
Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-
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