Zen Practice with Physical Illness or Disability

[Jundo]

I had surgery on my knee, a total knee. I am already disabled from rheumatoid arthritis of the spine. So sometimes I just sit on a strait back chair and rhythmically breath. Lately I fall asleep. It not because of posture or want of intent. So for a while I will lie on my back and hope that I stay awake.


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Hi Taishi,

I hope that you are up and around very soon. In the meantime, a little more "sitting" than you wish.

I am glad that the surgery seems to have gone well.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Onka]

My comment here is nothing more than 'ping' so that people read it regularly. Thanks to Kokuu for compiling this policy of sorts and thank you Jundo again for providing this space. Without it and without it being as accepting and flexible as it is I would not be able to be a member of a Sangha. Thanks too to Jishin for reminding us that so many disabilities are not just invisible but are all too often regarded as being too difficult for even the most 'inclusive' space to accommodate. We can all do better every day by actively seeking out information about disabilities and differences that we don't fully understand. You'd be surprised at just how often you encounter people IRL who have to manage/battle various challenges when you are a wee bit more informed. You'll also be surprised at how your IRL and online interactions with these folk changes.
Almost every single person I interact with IRL are the so-called misfits of society and even though there are times when I'm too much for them or they're too much for me I love them as the perfectly imperfect misfits that they are.
Be kind to yourselves and look out for each other.

Gassho
Anna

Sat today/Lent a hand

[Byokan]

Yes, excellent bump, thanks Anna!

Gassho
Byokan

[Shonin]

Good read very insightful since I have several things wrong with my back and neck. None of which are currently being treated. I cant zafu sit. I was always hoping to adjust because I like my zafu and now it just sits in the closet. When I sit ( which comes and goes for reasons I wont get into) I chair sit. I do the "proper" chair sit with back straight for as long as I can but usually around 10 min I have to use the back of the chair like one would normally sit. So, it's always encouraging to see posts like this and helps me accept that I will never be able to sit traditionally even though I really want to.

_/\_ Dave

[Jundo]

Good read very insightful since I have several things wrong with my back and neck. None of which are currently being treated. I cant zafu sit. I was always hoping to adjust because I like my zafu and now it just sits in the closet. When I sit ( which comes and goes for reasons I wont get into) I chair sit. I do the "proper" chair sit with back straight for as long as I can but usually around 10 min I have to use the back of the chair like one would normally sit. So, it's always encouraging to see posts like this and helps me accept that I will never be able to sit traditionally even though I really want to.

_/\_ Dave

Shonin! One of our original Treeleaf folks, 10 years on now!

Gassho, Jundo

SattodayLAH

[Shonin]

Always a pleasure, Jundo. Great to see you again.I follow a lot of your posts on Facebook. Im just a quiet member.
_/\_ ST/LAH

[Tai Shi]

Hi men, and women members. Right now as I sit before computer screen, my neck and shoulders are surrounded with frozen gel pack. I buy, not to endorse, on Amazon. No drug can begin to touch my pain right now, but the gel pack, collar, helps, and sometimes I can sit for 20 min, or even 30 min, I've been sitting for some time daily or so as I have the time. A little less than 20 yrs ago my conditions made it possible to go on Social Security Disability Insurance and when I applied, I had it in the unheard time of 60 days. This is the minimum. Because I have both bipolar type one, and Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rear form of arthritis of the spine, my eyes, lungs, and even heart affected. So, this was not so lucky, because it brought with it two artificial knees. I worked along with S.S.D.I. and almost lost the less than $10,000 a year I was expected to live on, and Jundo knows, I am married to a more than wonderful wife who has made it possible to drive a new car, pay for a home, and send a brilliant daughter to a "best" college. All considered I would have rather worked full-time-- never in my wildest dreams possible. I sit in a straight back chair with left shoulder propped against basement wall. My alter stretches out before my chair with Buddhist meditation cushion, Amazon again. AA's meetings take out of our home, and the occasional movie. But, most days find me typing with one finger and thumb. And, left index finger to shift. I am lucky again, because my wife's job and on int retirement has meant the best medical care. Hence, I am 67. I was not expected to live much beyond 60. I am now a committed Buddhist. Stuff happens.

Tai Shi
sat/lah
Gassho

[Emmet]

I'm over 60, with multiple herniated lumbar discs, a neurological disorder that affects my balance, and a badly healed torn meniscus in my right knee; which back in the day was damaged further by months of obstinate sitting on a zafu despite the pain.
I've a Kennedy rocker in the corner of my zendo for reading. One day as I was sitting there, I really tuned in to what an admirable chair it is; at equilibrium, with both feet flat on the floor, thighs level, back straight; touching just enough in the lumbar spine to offer just enough support; arms low enough to not interfere with my Dhyana mudra, yet sturdy enough to help me out of my chair, it's actually the perfect chair for meditation; at least it is for me.
It occurred to me that at this time in my life I no longer need to conform; there isn't a sangha for over 100 miles in any direction; I sit alone. So now I sit zazen quite comfortably in my rocker. My body can now sit longer than my mind; it actually feels like "the Dharma gate of joyous ease".

My second favorite zazen chair is a rough wooden bench at the summit of Jackrabbit Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest. I try to sit there a couple of times a week on my forest 'kinh hanh' rambles, but that's another story.

Sat today...in a chair

[Shokai]

mw too

[Onka]

I'm over 60, with multiple herniated lumbar discs, a neurological disorder that affects my balance, and a badly healed torn meniscus in my right knee; which back in the day was damaged further by months of obstinate sitting on a zafu despite the pain.
I've a Kennedy rocker in the corner of my zendo for reading. One day as I was sitting there, I really tuned in to what an admirable chair it is; at equilibrium, with both feet flat on the floor, thighs level, back straight; touching just enough in the lumbar spine to offer just enough support; arms low enough to not interfere with my Dhyana mudra, yet sturdy enough to help me out of my chair, it's actually the perfect chair for meditation; at least it is for me.
It occurred to me that at this time in my life I no longer need to conform; there isn't a sangha for over 100 miles in any direction; I sit alone. So now I sit zazen quite comfortably in my rocker. My body can now sit longer than my mind; it actually feels like "the Dharma gate of joyous ease".

My second favorite zazen chair is a rough wooden bench at the summit of Jackrabbit Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest. I try to sit there a couple of times a week on my forest 'kinh hanh' rambles, but that's another story.

Sat today...in a chair

I too sit in a chair for Zazen Emmet.
My partner and I recently found a cheap reclining chair at a charity shop which has transformed my ability to 'sit'. We also managed to find an outdoor type chair that can recline. With my fancy cushion that has a cutaway to take pressure off of my spine I can now even do Zazen outdoors. Although I am still regularly sitting while lying down in the laying Buddha type position being able to recline has been a game changer. Without these chairs there is no way I would be able to prepare for Jukai this year or sew a Rakusu.
Solidarity to you comrade and all others with challenges that make traditional sitting impossible, particularly those of us with less visible disabilities.
Gassho
Anna
ST

[Tai Do]

Mateus
Sat today/LAH

[brucef]

Not just a chair. I once rested my hands on my walking stick! No one said anything for which I was thankful. That was a bad day though. Bottom line is, you do what you can because Zazen in a chair is better than no Zazen.

ST/LAH (gave the dog her medication)

[Jundo]

Not just a chair. I once rested my hands on my walking stick! No one said anything for which I was thankful. That was a bad day though. Bottom line is, you do what you can because Zazen in a chair is better than no Zazen.

ST/LAH (gave the dog her medication)

Zazen in a chair or in the air or on a bear or on the stairs or with Fred Astaire is still perfectly lovely wonderful complete Zazen ... if the mind feels it so.

Zazen in brilliant full Lotus is bad Zazen if the mind is judging "good vs. bad."

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shokai]

Zazen in a chair or in the air or on a bear or on the stairs or with Fred

Nice Dr. Seuss imitation but, don't give up the day job just yet

gassho, shokai

stlah

[Onka]

Zazen in a chair or in the air or on a bear or on the stairs or with Fred Astaire is still perfectly lovely wonderful complete Zazen ... if the mind feels it so.

Zazen in brilliant full Lotus is bad Zazen if the mind is judging "good vs. bad."

Gassho, J

STLah

🙏