Zazen for Beginners Series: THREAD for QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

[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

[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

[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.

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[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.

[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]

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.

[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"

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[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

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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]

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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[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