Kinhin with Cane

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  • Myogan
    Member
    • Aug 2015
    • 378

    Kinhin with Cane

    Standing at the end of the Nurses station I Stand with my feet square, cane planted at my right hand, grounding my self in the gravity of both the world and Dharma.

    I Breathe deeply for 5 breaths drawing in the oxygen and energy for my journey of 24 feet.

    The head of the cane lifts up its weight now familiar at my side, swings forward and lands with a gratifying thunk and a faint rattle of the junction of its segments noticeable only to my hand.

    I step off with on my left. The not “best foot forward” that has been considered the weaker side of Man.

    Moving a distance that would be mocked by a toddler the foot finds purchase on the tile below.

    The movement which in normal situations which can be broken down into as little as 5 but as many as 20 positions is little more than a slide at first. It’s unsteadiness threatening the journey.

    However it holds and its mate is about to begin its march.

    Body supported by the cane it moves easily and the breath flows without hitch.

    The worries and stress of the day fades before the repetition. There is only the foot, the step and the thunk.

    As the left begins to make more of a normal lift and place I am aware of the silent squeak of the cane’s foot as rotates in line with my hand as the right extends beyond it, humorous yet satisfying.

    The height of 4 men later I gently rotate leftward until I ground myself again facing the distance I have just traveled. Returning to breath but not movement I marvel at the simplicity of the joy of the travel.

    As I make the return journey the Dukkha or 苦(ku) of the past week evaporate like fog in the morning sun.

    Like many journeys in life I repeat it over and over.

    The monitor attached to my chest suggests I have been having a workout.

    The monitor of my spirit has gone everywhere and nowhere.


    There is more to my story but this is not the time for it;



    This is Kinhin with Cane

    Gassho
    Sat

    Please change this to an appropriate forum, I posted it in the wrong area
    Last edited by Myogan; 01-28-2025, 12:43 PM.
    Marc Connery
    明岩
    Myo̅ Gan - Bright Cliff

    I put the Monkey in Monkeymind
  • Bion
    Senior Priest-in-Training
    • Aug 2020
    • 5035

    #2
    Originally posted by Myogan
    Standing at the end of the Nurses station I Stand with my feet square, cane planted at my right hand, grounding my self in the gravity of both the world and Dharma.

    I Breathe deeply for 5 breaths drawing in the oxygen and energy for my journey of 24 feet.

    The head of the cane lifts up its weight now familiar at my side, swings forward and lands with a gratifying thunk and a faint rattle of the junction of its segments noticeable only to my hand.

    I step off with on my left. The not “best foot forward” that has been considered the weaker side of Man.

    Moving a distance that would be mocked by a toddler the foot finds purchase on the tile below.

    The movement which in normal situations which can be broken down into as little as 5 but as many as 20 positions is little more than a slide at first. It’s unsteadiness threatening the journey.

    However it holds and its mate is about to begin its march.

    Body supported by the cane it moves easily and the breath flows without hitch.

    The worries and stress of the day fades before the repetition. There is only the foot, the step and the thunk.

    As the left begins to make more of a normal lift and place I am aware of the silent squeak of the cane’s foot as rotates in line with my hand as the right extends beyond it, humorous yet satisfying.

    The height of 4 men later I gently rotate leftward until I ground myself again facing the distance I have just traveled. Returning to breath but not movement I marvel at the simplicity of the joy of the travel.

    As I make the return journey the Dukkha or 苦(ku) of the past week evaporate like fog in the morning sun.

    Like many journeys in life I repeat it over and over.

    The monitor attached to my chest suggests I have been having a workout.

    The monitor of my spirit has gone everywhere and nowhere.


    There is more to my story but this is not the time for it;



    This is Kinhin with Cane

    Gassho
    Sat

    Please change this to an appropriate forum, I posted it in the wrong area
    Did as you asked, and moved it to the Zen Practice sub! Thank you for your thoughts in this post

    Gassho
    sat lah
    "Stepping back with open hands, is thoroughly comprehending life and death. Immediately you can sparkle and respond to the world." - Hongzhi

    Comment

    • Kojitsu
      Member
      • Mar 2024
      • 190

      #3
      What a lovely story, one I am quite familiar with. Laying motionless in a hospital for weeks and finally being able to take a few steps, even with the assistance of a device such as a walker or cane, is a powerful moment in your recovery. As they say, one step at a time.



      st/lah
      kojitsu

      Comment

      • Jundo
        Treeleaf Founder and Priest
        • Apr 2006
        • 41101

        #4
        Dr. Myogan!

        Always good to hear from you, old friend. But, is the doctor now the patient????

        I will write you about something later.

        Gassho, Jundo
        stlah
        ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

        Comment

        • Onki
          Novice Priest-in-Training
          • Dec 2020
          • 942

          #5
          Myogan,

          This is absolutely beautiful. I could see you walking with your cane in hand in my mind.

          I also use a cane and have participated in kinhin while using my cane. It is a very different experience than kinhin without a cane.

          I’m not sure if this is similar with you, but when I use my cane it has now become an extension of me. There was a mourning period when I started having to use it daily. I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. But as we know, nothing stays the same in this world and this life. It took time to accept.

          Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment.

          Gasshō,

          On

          “Let me respectfully remind you
          Life and death are of supreme importance.
          Time swiftly passes by
          And opportunity ist lost.
          Each of us should strive to awaken.
          Awaken, take heed,
          Do not squander your life.​“ - Life and Death and The Great Matter

          Comment

          • Myogan
            Member
            • Aug 2015
            • 378

            #6
            Originally posted by Onki
            Myogan,

            This is absolutely beautiful. I could see you walking with your cane in hand in my mind.

            I also use a cane and have participated in kinhin while using my cane. It is a very different experience than kinhin without a cane.

            I’m not sure if this is similar with you, but when I use my cane it has now become an extension of me. There was a mourning period when I started having to use it daily. I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. But as we know, nothing stays the same in this world and this life. It took time to accept.

            Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment.

            Gasshō,

            On
            I’m already at the point where I will miss having it in my hand. Fortunately I need it for body awareness, not strength

            Gassho
            Sat/LAH
            Marc Connery
            明岩
            Myo̅ Gan - Bright Cliff

            I put the Monkey in Monkeymind

            Comment

            • Seiko
              Novice Priest-in-Training
              • Jul 2020
              • 1157

              #7
              Originally posted by Myogan
              Kinhin with cane

              Ahh Myogan, what you write is beautiful.

              I am a novice priest here and I see many lay people in Treeleaf who are wiser than me, and I love you for it. So please take anything I say with the pinch of salt it deserves.

              One day I might wrote about kinhin with a white cane (I have a V.I.). I even imagine a series: kinhin with crutches, with a wheelchair, with an assistance dog, with a zimmer frame, and motionless kinhin...

              With whatever you need, for kinhin and zazen are universal, for anyone, anywhere, anytime.

              ​​​​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

              • Onki
                Novice Priest-in-Training
                • Dec 2020
                • 942

                #8
                Originally posted by Seiko


                Ahh Myogan, what you write is beautiful.

                I am a novice priest here and I see many lay people in Treeleaf who are wiser than me, and I love you for it. So please take anything I say with the pinch of salt it deserves.

                One day I might wrote about kinhin with a white cane (I have a V.I.). I even imagine a series: kinhin with crutches, with a wheelchair, with an assistance dog, with a zimmer frame, and motionless kinhin...

                With whatever you need, for kinhin and zazen are universal, for anyone, anywhere, anytime.

                ​​​Gasshō, Seiko, stlah
                What a great idea, Seiko!

                Kinhin with assistive devices - no assistive devices. I like it!

                Gasshō,

                On
                “Let me respectfully remind you
                Life and death are of supreme importance.
                Time swiftly passes by
                And opportunity ist lost.
                Each of us should strive to awaken.
                Awaken, take heed,
                Do not squander your life.​“ - Life and Death and The Great Matter

                Comment

                • Myogan
                  Member
                  • Aug 2015
                  • 378

                  #9
                  Quick update - Was able to get around yesterday not needing the cane
                  Now to sit.
                  Marc Connery
                  明岩
                  Myo̅ Gan - Bright Cliff

                  I put the Monkey in Monkeymind

                  Comment

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