How has your practice changed over the years?

[Jundo]

Last night during my evening sit I had a bit of a realization. I have been practicing for years now but still sometimes wonder if I’m doing it “right”. Jundo often says to sit with the feeling “deep in your bones” that sitting is full and complete, a sacred act. I sit with equanimity easily now, but how does one cultivate (or not) a feeling “deep in their bones”? So I wasn’t sure.

But last night I realized, I am not sitting with any goal or intention to gain anything or accomplish anything. I really am sitting, just for the sake of sitting. Sitting is itself the only goal. So I guess I’m doing it exactly right.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

Sounds right to me.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Washin]

Hi Chikyo,

It is a good thread. Thank you for posting your question.

Overall, my practice seems not to have changed much over the years. Same anatomy. Sometimes I sit with a noisy and cluttered mind;
Other times, there is more clarity and ease. However, I noticed that I have become more settled in practice by way of
approaching it with what is, and no matter what. Not that I push myself hard towards the cushion (well, even if I sometimes do). It just
happens naturally and by itself. I learned how to sit with anxiety, pain, fear, and a heavy heart, hearing about the lost lives daily.
Also, it seems like these days it has a wider perspective when taking the zazen mind off the cushion and carrying it out to the world.

Gassho,
Washin
sat/lah

[Hokai]

“How has your practice changed over the years?”

Every year it gets worse

Gassho
Hōkai
satlah