Zazen for Beginners Series: THREAD for QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

[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"

[Dogukan]

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.

[Onkai]

Welcome Dogukan! And thank you for your practice. I found the beginner's series some time after I had been practicing with Treeleaf. I think you'll find the forums welcoming, and practicing with others a good experience. The rule is to have sat the within a day of a post. You can sit with others on ZOOM. On the pages with the Zoom links, there are explanations of etiquette. If you join a zazenkai, Jundo always says "...if it's your first time, just follow along."

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[Dogukan]

How wonderful to be a beginner!

Just finished the #5. I am going slow, so I can enjoy every moment. I really loved the first video. That blender was such an elegant example.

Yesterday, I sat for the very first time. And by that I don't mean to say that yesterday was the first time I've sat in Zazen (although it was). But in the literal sense of the word, I 'sat' for the first time. For the very first time in my life, I sat just to sit. Yes, sometimes I was bored. Yes, from time to time my mind reminded me some images & thoughts. Partly relieved, partly strecthed; partly relaxed, partly distressed... After all, I'm a beginner. But I sat yesterday. I sat today. Hopefully I'll sit in the future.

Thank you Jundo for these beautiful, understandable and relatable talks. They helped me a lot.

I have only one question: Since I learned the most basic information, I started sitting individually. However, is it better for me to finish this series completely before joining group Zazen, or should I join groups while still learning from this videos? Which option would you recommend? I look forward to hear your answers based on your experiences. Thanks a lot.

Doğukan,
SatToday.

[Suuko]

That's excellent Enis - I agree with you; I think these are more than Basics; they are fundamentals and are good to watch over from time to time

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

This is so true in Zen. Everyday I listen to the "Beginners mind" by Suzuki and there's always a new thing I catch.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Guish.

Sent from my PAR-LX1M using Tapatalk

[Risho]

That's excellent Enis - I agree with you; I think these are more than Basics; they are fundamentals and are good to watch over from time to time

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[enis]

Hi Jundo,

I just finished the series including the other two parts 'Buddha-Basics' and 'Boddhisattva-Basics'.
They all helped me a lot and I learned from them.

It was also very enjoyable to read and watch all with your interpretations.

I highly recommend them to everybody.
Thank you very much again.

Gassho,
SatToday,

Enis

[Amelia]

That's lovely, Hedy. Most of the time, it really is all about how we handle the little things.

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Hedy]

We are all beginners.

Jundo, thank you! I have now heard all 22 lessons for beginners. For those wondering if something has changed after practicing sitting, I have a little story. As I unloaded groceries in my cart, I saw that all my blueberries had spilled from their box to the sack. In the past, this would have sent me into a snit. But this time, I looked at the blueberries scattered among other groceries. I began putting them back in the box, one by one. No stress! This is just one stress free happening I have noticed since I began this journey. Others should take heart. It works!

Gassho,
Hedy

Dear All,

Kindly post all comments, questions, impressions and objections regarding this Series and any of the videos in this thread. (I have had to do so to keep the lessons in sequence).

If refrencing a particular talk, it woud be nice to mention which one. Thank you so much.

BACK TO SERIES LINK

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Tai Shi]

I am finding what you explained for my eyes correct, and the padded office chair now has a new desk and computer riser so I can look directly into the camera and I do plan to be at Friday night Zazenkai and I can easily practice (point we are not practicing at all) for 40 minutes. Occasional Sunday sit, an occasional sit with older citizens, and near daily with Onkai has helped me get ready for an actual 3 hour zazenkai. I hope to be there Friday night/ Saturday morning.
Gassho
Deep bows
sat/ lah
Tai Shi

[DanM]

Thank you Jundo. It was possibly a mixture of both if I'm honest. Partly fidgeting because I'm not used to doing a 2nd sit of that duration so close to the first, but I was also concerned about knee pain at one point. I will keep this in mind.

Gassho, Dan
Sat today