Zen Practice with Physical Illness or Disability

[Seibu]

Good news
Ultrasound of my heart:
Normal range 50 to 70
Mine is 55 to 60
Heart muscle normal: some minor change stenosis and regurgitation.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


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Sounds great Tai Shi

Gassho,
Seibu
Sattoday

[Tai Shi]

Great news about your heart and I have a pacemaker still I was strong enough for brain surgery. I was put through every test to determine heart muscle strength. I am happy for you!!!!
Gassho
sat/ lah


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[Kokuu]

Hi Angel

What is your first language? I am not sure how much has been written about Zen and autism/neurodiversity but we do have some members at Treeleaf who have autism.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Hōkan]

What is your first language?

I'm not sure, but I found this (densely written) explainer that may be what this is about: https://www.integratedtreatmentservi...peak-language/

TLDR: Some autistic folks communicate/think with things other than than the word symbols that many of the rest of us use.

Sat

[Kokuu]

I did wonder if that is what Angel meant, Hōkan.

Angel, there are perhaps teachings like that which work on a neurotypical mind. However, many Zen teachings also appear inpenitrable at first and many rely on symbols and images so I don't know if they would cut through neuro-atypical thinking. Other neuro-diverse folk in the sangha may be able to offer suggestions of teachings that have worked for them and if they have struggled in the same way.

In our school of Soto Zen, our primary teaching is that of 'just sitting' (Shikantaza), which goes beyond words and language. It is my hope that this practice is universally appropriate.

I did manage to find a couple of resources related to autism and Zen practice. I do not know if they are relevant or they may be stepping stones to something that is:

https://the-art-of-autism.com/the-autistic-buddha-my-uncoventional-path-to-enlightenment/

http://ravingjoy.blogspot.com/2017/03/autism-and-zen-interview-with-author.html

There is also an autism sitting group, Autsit, which means three times a month on Zoom: http://autsit.net/

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Meian]

Angel,

Welcome to Treeleaf. I am meian, and autism level 1.

While I can't direct you to specific teachings or translate them for you, perhaps a discussion on how we understand these teachings (how we translate them) may be useful sometimes.

Written expression is also my primary communication. However, translation can also be difficult for me. I share this challenge.

You can message me if I can help with Treeleaf or autism and Zen.

Gassho meian st lh

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[Doshin]

Angel,

Welcome to Treeleaf. I am meian, and autism level 1.

While I can't direct you to specific teachings or translate them for you, perhaps a discussion on how we understand these teachings (how we translate them) may be useful sometimes.

Written expression is also my primary communication. However, translation can also be difficult for me. I share this challenge.

You can message me if I can help with Treeleaf or autism and Zen.

Gassho meian st lh

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Doshin
St

[Angel]

Hi Angel What is your first language?

My apologies; I could have been more clear. Though I know that I am not the only one to use the phrase 'first language' in regards to the way that I process language rather than the language itself, it clearly is not something that has reached the social consciousness. I did not know that when I wrote it. I have often used the example, to good effect with both neurotypicals and neurodiverse folks, that the world is made up of PC's - and I am a Mac. I work perfectly fine, right up until I try to run 'Word for Windows' on my system - then it crashes.

In our school of Soto Zen, our primary teaching is that of 'just sitting' (Shikantaza), which goes beyond words and language. It is my hope that this practice is universally appropriate.

It is unlikely to be coincidence that I gravitated to the simplicity of Zen over other branches. Still, part of my practice consists of a morning meditation followed by a short reading by the local Zen master. Favorite's of hers include some names that have appeared elsewhere in this thread - Darlene Cohen, Robert Aitken, etc. Sitting is vital, but this fruit is often out of my reach. Perhaps you, or someone else here, has had the opportunity to enter into a dharma dialogue with a teacher. I understand that many folks find value in this exchange, gaining clarity - whereas for me, I am being fed a word salad. A teacher might point to the moon differently if s/he pointing for a blind person.

Meian: I appreciate your kind offer, I'm sure I'll be in touch at some point.

I am humbled by the responses and the links. I have not yet had the opportunity to follow them but expect I shall, later today. Thank you to Kokuu, Hokan, and Meian.

sat

[Jakuden]

Zen Practice with Physical Illness or Disability

My apologies; I could have been more clear. Though I know that I am not the only one to use the phrase 'first language' in regards to the way that I process language rather than the language itself, it clearly is not something that has reached the social consciousness. I did not know that when I wrote it. I have often used the example, to good effect with both neurotypicals and neurodiverse folks, that the world is made up of PC's - and I am a Mac. I work perfectly fine, right up until I try to run 'Word for Windows' on my system - then it crashes.



It is unlikely to be coincidence that I gravitated to the simplicity of Zen over other branches. Still, part of my practice consists of a morning meditation followed by a short reading by the local Zen master. Favorite's of hers include some names that have appeared elsewhere in this thread - Darlene Cohen, Robert Aitken, etc. Sitting is vital, but this fruit is often out of my reach. Perhaps you, or someone else here, has had the opportunity to enter into a dharma dialogue with a teacher. I understand that many folks find value in this exchange, gaining clarity - whereas for me, I am being fed a word salad. A teacher might point to the moon differently if s/he pointing for a blind person.

Meian: I appreciate your kind offer, I'm sure I'll be in touch at some point.

I am humbled by the responses and the links. I have not yet had the opportunity to follow them but expect I shall, later today. Thank you to Kokuu, Hokan, and Meian.

Hi Angel! I am what would have been considered Aspergers in the past system and have ADHD as well. Your request really gave me pause, as I would not have even considered that there might be Zen teachings out there that would particularly appeal to neuroatypical folks. Like you I’m sure, I try to fit the square peg into the round hole on a daily basis.

Initially I found Joko Beck’s books to be the most clear and if not for them, the others I read (which included some of the most widely recommended) would probably not have led me down this path.

I also find Domyo Burke’s “Zen Studies Podcast” to be very helpful. She is very clear and uses good examples and metaphors, and the podcasts are categorized in such a way that you can organize listening in whatever way is most helpful to you.

Treeleaf is a treasure chest of teachings available in every form—video, Zazenkai, guest lectures, book club, and general teaching posts in bite-sized thought-provoking essays. Jundo has a way of explaining the teachings that penetrates even the most resistant of my brain states. His beginner series cemented many of the concepts (and non-concepts) for me. And he is incredibly dedicated to being available to directly answer questions on the forum as well as to helping us find accommodating ways to practice. In my first years here I would constantly dig through the archives and find things that resonated.

If nothing else, you have support and friends here [emoji847] and we can try to help in whatever way we can!

(Sorry for such a long post)

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Angel]

Initially I found Joko Beck’s books to be the most clear and if not for them, the others I read (which included some of the most widely recommended) would probably not have led me down this path.

I have found Joko Beck's book at my favorite bookseller just now and will explore the writings moving forward. Thank you for the recommendation. I have never failed to be surprised at how one teacher/author can resonate with me so strongly whilst others - even those that come highly recommended, often do not. As difficult as it can sometimes be for me to discern the meaning behind a neurotypical explanation, there are those who seem to be able transcend my personal challenges with ease. Adya is one such teacher. Ajahn Brahm is another. Thank you for your welcome.

[Kokuu]

Hi Angel

If there is some agreement between neuro-atypical people here as to which resources are more accessible, we can look to providing a list for any new members coming with similar processing issues.

Please do share with us anything you find helpful. We try to be as inclusive as possible in making the teachings and practice work for people but some areas are currently more developed than others.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Jakuden]

As difficult as it can sometimes be for me to discern the meaning behind a neurotypical explanation, there are those who seem to be able transcend my personal challenges with ease. Adya is one such teacher. Ajahn Brahm is another. Thank you for your welcome.

Thank you in return for your recommendations! I am excited to explore them.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Tai Shi]

I’m on Medication double duty. Seizure, and pain. Works for both. My AVM was masked when it began to grow. Cause seizure. I was experiencing paralyzed seizure. That’s what tipped off doctors. Then imagining was there showing AVM in 3d and enlarged. Looked like a spider except many legs. Thank you [emoji120] everyone for being there! Okay! I feel the foam where doctors placed the material.
Sat/ lah
_/\_


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[Rich]

Faith that just sitting contains the whole universe and joyful bliss is only obscured by our own minds

Sat/lah


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[Andrea]

Hi, I just wanted to add a note to this thread to say I'm so glad that Treeleaf is so accommodating to people with chronic illness and disability. That's been the main reason I haven't been able to join a sangha despite practicing for so long, and I've realised a lot of Buddhist spaces are quite excluding to disabled people (because of 'tradition?') It's so nice to feel that I'll be able to fully participate here despite my chronic illness and disability. Thank you, Jundo and everyone at Treeleaf.

Gassho,
Andrea

SatToday