What strategies do you use while off the cushion to remind you throughout the day to come back to the present moment? Do you use an app for your phone, tie a string around your finger, etc? Thank you!
gassho
Doug
gassho
Doug
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Great question. I like to sort keep myself in check throughout the day, though not obsessing over it. I sort of have routines in place that I worked diligently to establish. I always do the same things when I wake up, which include a bow, chanting a verse from when I get out of bed until I am done making my coffee, washing the face... I make it a point to return to the posture of my body when I walk, for example.. so I do a body check to notice this bag of skin and bones. I try to not bury myself into music when I do tasks, for example, or to multitask when not necessary... I picked this one up from a friend, who picked it up during his training in Japan: I sometimes make it a point to use 2 hands to do things... It can be quite an interesting little exercise.
I mostly just try to keep the mind free, not tangled up in thoughts and daydreaming. Works pretty well for me
Gassho
sat lah"Stepping back with open hands, is thoroughly comprehending life and death. Immediately you can sparkle and respond to the world." - Hongzhi -
I know I’m fairly new, but just wanted to share!
I do a morning and evening gatha like Bion, also when I enter/use the bathroom/wash hands/shower, for every meal, as well as other gathas I use through my day (some examples: when I leave home, entering the Zendo, pulling out the cushion, sitting on the zafu…). I have them taped up on my walls around my apartment, which I did for Ango and never took them down because I enjoy the practice. I find they help me to slow down and stay present and mindful. I have also started to create my own gathas, which I find helps with the impact they can have.
On my ride to work I will chant the heart sutra along with a recording (I’m working on memorizing it in English to start) I find this very fortifying for the bombardment at work. At work, while with a customer, I try to keep myself present for them and listening, not just thinking about the next thing I want to say. I try to connect with them more on a human level, and just serve them the best I can. I also walk a lot at work, and very quickly (I have been working on losing weight). So I use this time to do Kinhin , although the speed I’m walking at is more a Rinzai speed, I try to keep myself present, letting all go as it goes. (Plus I’m pretty sure I would seem a little odd if I walked at Soto speed while at work!
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Thanks, and sorry to run long
Gassho,
Choujou
sat/lah todayComment
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Hi Doug,
As I'm a novice priest you'd be well advised to take my words with a pinch of salt.
Well, it's impossible to be anywhere else but in this moment. This is where we are, whether we like it or not. Even when wishing we were somewhere else, doing something else, with someone else, we are doing that wishing right here, right now.
Applying oneself, dealing with only the current task, and not doing so much of the wishing, that's a matter of concentration and practice.
Unfortunately for me, my concentration tends to lapse when I'm chopping vegetables. The resulting cut on my finger brings me back to full concentration perfectly.
Gasshō, Seiko, stlah
Gandō Seiko
頑道清光
(Stubborn Way of Pure Light)
My street name is 'Al'.
Any words I write here are merely the thoughts of an apprentice priest, just my opinions, that's all.Comment
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All very inspiring! Thank you!
Gassho
DougComment
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A few years ago we read this book as part of the Beyond Words and Letters Book Club. I adopted several of these practices that I do throughout the day. Great book!
Tairin
sat today and lah泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful WoodsComment
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I just like to remind folks that "being mindful," slowing down, paying attention and doing one thing in the moment ... this is all wonderful practice, maybe to do a few times a day. However, the point of this practice is sometimes misunderstood that we should be that way always! It is not necessary, nor would it be a good way to live if we were like that always. I often say that it is more important to "let the moment be what this moment is," not just to "be in the moment." For example, if the moment means you must sometimes be busy and "multi-tasking" with the phone ringing and the boss screaming ... just let that be the moment.
More here. Read it as the one thing you do in that moment!
Gassho, J
stlahALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
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