Zazen for Beginners Series: THREAD for QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

[Heiso]

Most morning I prop my phone up on some cushions, then the kids or the cat come running in, knock it over and everyone gets to see my ceiling. I like the idea of an altar in a box, I might have to look into that.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

[Kaishin]

Hi, I'd like to ask something about joining in the group Zazen, I hope this is an appropriate thread. How do you all set up your cameras? Do you use a PC or phone? Do you place it on the ground? I have very limited space and am having troubles figuring out where to place the camera, so some advice would help.


Alex
Sat today/LAH

As others have said, whatever works for you! I do not have room for a dedicated space, so simply setup a step stool with laptop next to me in whatever room I'm sitting (varies based on what other family members are up to). I also just have a portable "altar in a box" that I can easily move. Propping up your phone works in a pinch, too.

-stlah

[Jakuden]

Yes I also enjoy an environment where the whole question about how to sit (lotus, half-lotus etc.) is not taken too dogmatic. Because my legs are much to stiff for the other options I'm also happy in the seiza position. I did sit in seiza on a bench for years, but two years ago I started to sit in seiza on two zafus and feel very comfortable and stable in this position. Is anybody else doing seiza on a zafu?

Gassho,
Stephan

SatToday

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Hi Stephan,

Yes I have a Mountain seat from ZMM and I have used it to sit seiza for years now. I have short legs and it is tall, so I do not have to turn it on the side. I find it easier to make the slight muscle shifts needed to delay pain and fatigue during Zazen on a zafu.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Bion]

Hi, I'd like to ask something about joining in the group Zazen, I hope this is an appropriate thread. How do you all set up your cameras? Do you use a PC or phone? Do you place it on the ground? I have very limited space and am having troubles figuring out where to place the camera, so some advice would help.


Alex
Sat today/LAH

Ir depends on what device you use. If you have a laptop or desktop with a webcam, I suggest you use that since zoom on the phone is clunky and tiny. Just set it up wherever as long as you can sort of see the screen and yourself on the zoom window. Preferably to the side. Just look at some of the zazenkai videos to figure out more or less the camera placement most of us have! But really, don’t worry too much about it! Even not being visible is totally fine! [emoji3526]

[emoji1374] SatToday ( sorry for the length)

[Doshin]

I use a Tablet that I set on my Altar which is also my window seal. I sit on the floor with appropriate pillows. I used to sit on a chair at a desk using my PC. In both cases the camera is about equal with the height of my head. I also learned here years ago to not stare into the camera so I face at an angle away from the camera.

Come join others in Zazen. It is good to sit with others and it is also good encouragement for practice.

Doshin
St

PS I sit cross legged. My legs/knees do not have the needed flexibility for lotus or half Lotus

[Nengyoku]

On my phone I have a wireless charger that stands my phone up, you can get one for about $20, and I have it sat on my altar. I sat outside on Thursday and just sat that charger on the ground.
When I use my PC I have a cheap webcam that I just sit on the edge of my desk pointed downwards.
Some of the guys who have been here a while have rooms dedicated to this where they set up a camera.

Point is, anything that works for you will probably be fine.

Sorry to run long.

Gassho,
William
Sat

[Alex.d]

Hi, I'd like to ask something about joining in the group Zazen, I hope this is an appropriate thread. How do you all set up your cameras? Do you use a PC or phone? Do you place it on the ground? I have very limited space and am having troubles figuring out where to place the camera, so some advice would help.


Alex
Sat today/LAH

[Stephan]

Hi Stephan,
I am sitting Zazen mostly in half-lotus, but I am practicing Shakuhachi playing in seiza on a sideways zafu between the legs.
To me, it feels a bit more comfortable on the lower spine and makes breathing a bit easier. But I guess that depends on the individual body.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

Moin Kotei,
yes I've read somewhere a description about this way of sitting in seiza on a zafu. But I actually sit on them in the usual way like you probably would in the lotus/half-lotus position, just that I likely sit a bit more central on them. I like that the zafu is more flexible than a bench and that I can adapt my position more easily, so that I always have good position for the zazen posture.

Gassho,
Stephan

Sat

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[Kotei]

Yes I also enjoy an environment where the whole question about how to sit (lotus, half-lotus etc.) is not taken too dogmatic. Because my legs are much to stiff for the other options I'm also happy in the seiza position. I did sit in seiza on a bench for years, but two years ago I started to sit in seiza on two zafus and feel very comfortable and stable in this position. Is anybody doing seiza on a zafu?

Hi Stephan,
I am sitting Zazen mostly in half-lotus, but I am practicing Shakuhachi playing in seiza on a sideways zafu between the legs.
To me, it feels a bit more comfortable on the lower spine and makes breathing a bit easier. But I guess that depends on the individual body.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Stephan]

Just finished with the 3rd video on Zazen posture, was a great introduction ( reintorduction) to things. In the past I was always very hard on myself for not being able to sit lotus or even half lotus for a very long time ( thick thighs). Now that I have returned to practice I;m using a Seiza bench from ZMM. I love sitting this way as it's stable and lets me focus(not focus) on just sitting and not on posture or pain.

Really appreciate hearing Jundo discuss being agnostic about the posture choices and not dogmatic about lotus position.

I will keep working on it but nothing to attain. . .

ST/LAH

Yes I also enjoy an environment where the whole question about how to sit (lotus, half-lotus etc.) is not taken too dogmatic. Because my legs are much to stiff for the other options I'm also happy in the seiza position. I did sit in seiza on a bench for years, but two years ago I started to sit in seiza on two zafus and feel very comfortable and stable in this position. Is anybody else doing seiza on a zafu?

Gassho,
Stephan

SatToday

Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

[Bokugan]

Just finished with the 3rd video on Zazen posture, was a great introduction ( reintorduction) to things. In the past I was always very hard on myself for not being able to sit lotus or even half lotus for a very long time ( thick thighs). Now that I have returned to practice I;m using a Seiza bench from ZMM. I love sitting this way as it's stable and lets me focus(not focus) on just sitting and not on posture or pain.

Really appreciate hearing Jundo discuss being agnostic about the posture choices and not dogmatic about lotus position.

I will keep working on it but nothing to attain. . .

ST/LAH

Seiza benches are wonderful it is a good feeling to realize that not being able to sit lotus is not a failing.

I personally like to mix it up, favoring Burmese style and using a seiza bench when I am sore or not feeling up to sitting on my zafu. At a retreat I went to, I noticed that others did the same thing, many opting for a chair later in the retreat (or even on the first day for some).

Gassho,

Ryan
SatToday LaH

[Gregor]

Just finished with the 3rd video on Zazen posture, was a great introduction ( reintorduction) to things. In the past I was always very hard on myself for not being able to sit lotus or even half lotus for a very long time ( thick thighs). Now that I have returned to practice I;m using a Seiza bench from ZMM. I love sitting this way as it's stable and lets me focus(not focus) on just sitting and not on posture or pain.

Really appreciate hearing Jundo discuss being agnostic about the posture choices and not dogmatic about lotus position.

I will keep working on it but nothing to attain. . .

ST/LAH

[Dogukan]

Hi Doğukan, welcome! I’m also new to Treeleaf and had a similar thought process to you when sitting with these videos. I initially intended to sit individually with them all before sitting with one of the groups here, but at a similar point in the series had an urge to sit with others. I started sitting with the Euro/kiwi group who have been very friendly and welcoming and I now sit with them regularly. Not sure if that group will work for you time wise but I’m sure the others will be equally welcoming.

We are all beginners, but if you ever feel like you need an answer from another Treeleaf beginner, please feel free to DM me.

Sorry for running a little long.

Gassho, Dan
ST/LAH

Thank you Dan for your answer and kind words. Glad to see another newcomer. Likewise, I would be happy to communicate with you at any time.

Gassho, Doğukan.
SatLaH.

[DanM]

Hi Doğukan, welcome! I’m also new to Treeleaf and had a similar thought process to you when sitting with these videos. I initially intended to sit individually with them all before sitting with one of the groups here, but at a similar point in the series had an urge to sit with others. I started sitting with the Euro/kiwi group who have been very friendly and welcoming and I now sit with them regularly. Not sure if that group will work for you time wise but I’m sure the others will be equally welcoming.

We are all beginners, but if you ever feel like you need an answer from another Treeleaf beginner, please feel free to DM me.

Sorry for running a little long.

Gassho, Dan
ST/LAH

[Jundo]

Thank you dear Onkai. It's really nice to be here. Then I really would love to sit with you all as soon as possible.

Gassho,
Doğukan
Sat.

Yes, just join in and keep on going ...

Nice to see you here, Doğukan.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

PS - I cut and pasted the "ğ"