Zazen for Beginners Series: THREAD for QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

[Meian]

Husband and older daughter are both lefties. [emoji3059]

Gassho, meian stlh

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Bion]

As the father of a leftie, I think that there is some discrimination here.

Tradition smadition, I don't think it matters whether left over right or right over left.

By the way, did you ever look closely at the mudra of most Buddha statues?? Notice which hand is on the bottom??



Gassho, J

STlah

Ha! Nice one! Even better then!!! I stand totally corrected!

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Jundo]

The mudra never changes!

As the father of a leftie, I think that there is some discrimination here.

Tradition smadition, I don't think it matters whether left over right or right over left.

By the way, did you ever look closely at the mudra of most Buddha statues?? Notice which hand is on the bottom??



Gassho, J

STlah

[Bion]

Yes, within a session I really try to not move at all "whatever happens" so to speak i.e. I push through some discomfort...

At the beginning I did not want to alternate legs from session to session, but as from today I have started to do so in order to avoid potential longterm problems...for some reason the discomfort in my left hip is larger and comes quicker around the corner when my left leg is upper in half lotus...I will continue to stretch my hips regularly and maybe it will get better over time.

Preferrably I did not want to have to alternate legs from session to session (as said) because I think that it might be easier for the brain to only need to "know" one posture to really make it "second nature". But on the other hand 2 postures (still half lotus but alternating legs) should be a small enough number so that one should hopefully not have trouble to make those postures "second nature".

I will just observe how it goes within the next few weeks - in case the discomfort and pain will not be reduced in a few weeks despite stretching and what not, I just might switch to a quarter lotus which I personally prefer to a burmese posture since it gives my knees less pressure...

PS.: The hand mudra I do not alternate by the way and hope that's fine - this means, no matter if my left or right leg is upper,
always my left hand is on top of the right hand.


Sorry for the long post.

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

The mudra never changes!

Let me just say, for the posture to “become second nature”, all you need to do it sit in it.. day in and day out. It’s not about “thinking” it or worrying about it, cause we don’t stop and think of how we use our hands to eat, or how we step when we walk, or how we breathe, right? We simply do. Zazen is like that. [emoji3526]

[emoji1374] Sat Today (and ran a little long as well)

[Kokuu]

At the beginning I did not want to alternate legs from session to session, but as from today I have started to do so in order to avoid potential longterm problems...for some reason the discomfort in my left hip is larger and comes quicker around the corner when my left leg is upper in half lotus...I will continue to stretch my hips regularly and maybe it will get better over time.

I think that is a good idea, Chris. I used to do the same when I started sitting for a reasonable length of time and it was helpful to my longer-term comfort in the posture(s).

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Zrebna]

To each there own body. Just do not obsess about which way is better.

But, when the bell rings until the bell rings again, try not to switch unless there is really necessity.

Gassho, J

STLah

Yes, within a session I really try to not move at all "whatever happens" so to speak i.e. I push through some discomfort...

At the beginning I did not want to alternate legs from session to session, but as from today I have started to do so in order to avoid potential longterm problems...for some reason the discomfort in my left hip is larger and comes quicker around the corner when my left leg is upper in half lotus...I will continue to stretch my hips regularly and maybe it will get better over time.

Preferrably I did not want to have to alternate legs from session to session (as said) because I think that it might be easier for the brain to only need to "know" one posture to really make it "second nature". But on the other hand 2 postures (still half lotus but alternating legs) should be a small enough number so that one should hopefully not have trouble to make those postures "second nature".

I will just observe how it goes within the next few weeks - in case the discomfort and pain will not be reduced in a few weeks despite stretching and what not, I just might switch to a quarter lotus which I personally prefer to a burmese posture since it gives my knees less pressure...

PS.: The hand mudra I do not alternate by the way and hope that's fine - this means, no matter if my left or right leg is upper,
always my left hand is on top of the right hand.


Sorry for the long post.

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

[Jundo]

Sounds good to me, thanks for replying
Do you personally alternate legs between Zazen-sessions i.e. one time the left leg is upper and the next time it is reversed?

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

To each there own body. Just do not obsess about which way is better.

But, when the bell rings until the bell rings again, try not to switch unless there is really necessity.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Bion]

Sounds good to me, thanks for replying
Do you personally alternate legs between Zazen-sessions i.e. one time the left leg is upper and the next time it is reversed?

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

Not really… I have zero stability with right over left. I will at times switch to a very awkward burmese .. [emoji1]

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Zrebna]

Exactly. Right foot/leg is resting on the floor, pretty much attached to the zafu, underneath the left one.

Stretching is ESSENTIAL. Before sitting, stretch and when in the posture, sway side to side or in a circle, slowly coming to a halt when the posture if stable. When you’re done, the same: gassho at the bell, then sway, stretch, bend, and get up slowly! [emoji3526]

Sat Today [emoji1374]

Sounds good to me, thanks for replying
Do you personally alternate legs between Zazen-sessions i.e. one time the left leg is upper and the next time it is reversed?

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

[Bion]

Great series so far with lots of good humor, as well

Regarding lesson 3 (sitting postures) :
When sitting in the half lotus, I think that if the left leg rests on the right thigh, the right leg is basically under the left leg (as shown in the pdf-instructions from TreeLeaf) and not in front (like it would be in the burmese style) ?

Other than this,
I agree that not forcing oneself into a certain posture is important. But trying it gradually might be alright, if one really wants to try.
By trying I mean to start regularly stretching, especially the hips so that they open up over time. From my understanding flexible hips are the key for a safe lotus-posture or its variants and only a little flexibility is needed regarding legs and knees.
In fact, when the hips are not very flexible, the knee-joints would "take over" and would force you into the lotus-posture which will cause indeed potential longterm damage to one's knees and joints.
So stretching especially the hips and a bit the legs is a good habit one could regularly develop (just for a few minutes before you practice, for instance) and see how it goes - I find that a bit mindful stretching where you should breath anyways deep into the belly can oftentimes also serve as a good "preparation" for Zazen-Practice in general.

Anyways, great series and excited to continue to watch til the end of it - thanks a lot for this work!

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

Exactly. Right foot/leg is resting on the floor, pretty much attached to the zafu, underneath the left one.

Stretching is ESSENTIAL. Before sitting, stretch and when in the posture, sway side to side or in a circle, slowly coming to a halt when the posture if stable. When you’re done, the same: gassho at the bell, then sway, stretch, bend, and get up slowly! [emoji3526]

Sat Today [emoji1374]

[Zrebna]

Great series so far with lots of good humor, as well

Regarding lesson 3 (sitting postures) :
When sitting in the half lotus, I think that if the left leg rests on the right thigh, the right leg is basically under the left leg (as shown in the pdf-instructions from TreeLeaf) and not in front (like it would be in the burmese style) ?

Other than this,
I agree that not forcing oneself into a certain posture is important. But trying it gradually might be alright, if one really wants to try.
By trying I mean to start regularly stretching, especially the hips so that they open up over time. From my understanding flexible hips are the key for a safe lotus-posture or its variants and only a little flexibility is needed regarding legs and knees.
In fact, when the hips are not very flexible, the knee-joints would "take over" and would force you into the lotus-posture which will cause indeed potential longterm damage to one's knees and joints.
So stretching especially the hips and a bit the legs is a good habit one could regularly develop (just for a few minutes before you practice, for instance) and see how it goes - I find that a bit mindful stretching where you should breath anyways deep into the belly can oftentimes also serve as a good "preparation" for Zazen-Practice in general.

Anyways, great series and excited to continue to watch til the end of it - thanks a lot for this work!

Gassho
Chris
Sat today

[Jundo]

... In the Free Sitting Room it mentions giving gassho when entering, is this an additional gassho, e.g. gassho to the computer, then the normal two gassho followed by a gassho to the computer on exiting the meeting? ...

Hah! The Buddha and Dogen never had to bow to a computer, so this is a very new question.

As Bion says, it is just respectful to give a little Gassho entering the room, then Gassho again at one's sitting place facing the cushion before fluffing and straightening it, then turning clockwise 180 degrees, Gassho again to the room, then sit. The computer is not a consideration, so please forget about the computer. Anyone sitting with you online is there in the room with you when you forget about the computer and distance.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[CarriChapp]

Hi. Yeah.. when connecting, just [emoji1374] towards the zoom screen, as if you were entering a physical room, whether anyone’s in there or not! Same thing before leaving [emoji3526]
After entering and doing that, go about your business.. head to your zafu, do the bowing to it, the fluffing, the sitting etc .. [emoji3526]

Let us know if we can assist in any way and make you feel more comfortable about joining sits or maybe helping you find a scheduled sit that might work for you!

Sorry for running long!

[emoji1374] Sat Today

Thank you for your help.

Gassho Andy

[Bion]

Hello everyone. I have been watching the Sit Along with Jundo series (great by the way) and have a question about gassho. I have downloaded the basic zazen instructions and understand giving gassho to the cushion then to the room. In the Free Sitting Room it mentions giving gassho when entering, is this an additional gassho, e.g. gassho to the computer, then the normal two gassho followed by a gassho to the computer on exiting the meeting? Sorry I am very new to a sanga / zendo setting and have been trying to fly solo for a few months until someone mentioned Treeleaf.

Gassho Andy

Hi. Yeah.. when connecting, just [emoji1374] towards the zoom screen, as if you were entering a physical room, whether anyone’s in there or not! Same thing before leaving [emoji3526]
After entering and doing that, go about your business.. head to your zafu, do the bowing to it, the fluffing, the sitting etc .. [emoji3526]

Let us know if we can assist in any way and make you feel more comfortable about joining sits or maybe helping you find a scheduled sit that might work for you!

Sorry for running long!

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[CarriChapp]

Hello everyone. I have been watching the Sit Along with Jundo series (great by the way) and have a question about gassho. I have downloaded the basic zazen instructions and understand giving gassho to the cushion then to the room. In the Free Sitting Room it mentions giving gassho when entering, is this an additional gassho, e.g. gassho to the computer, then the normal two gassho followed by a gassho to the computer on exiting the meeting? Sorry I am very new to a sanga / zendo setting and have been trying to fly solo for a few months until someone mentioned Treeleaf.

Gassho Andy