Suggestions for zazen with a cold

[Douglas]

Now I know we should be with whatever is occurring, cold or not. Operationally speaking though, a stuffy/runny nose and coughing is....challenging?

Any suggestions?

Gassho,
Doug
SAT LAH

[Chikyou]

My suggestion is to do what you can do. Even if it’s only a few minutes (no long or short in zazen as Jundo would say!) and from the couch/your bed if necessary.

There are times when I just don’t have the stamina (due to illness or other factor) for the Zazenkai- these times I sit for a few minutes wherever I am comfortable and then cue up the Dharma talk with headphones.

Get well soon!

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[Jundo]

When sneezing and coughing, know that it is the whole universe sneezing and coughing with your nose and throat.

If not feeling that fact fully, have confidence in such fact and take it on trust. Each sneeze is the universe returning to the universe.

Even the cold virus is the universe, but so are the antibodies. Their struggle, and your fever, is the dance of the universe too.

One may recite the Metta Verses for yourself and all others with the sniffles ... May we be healthy and, when not, at ease in all our ills.

Other than that, the Buddha recommends aspirin, rest ... and chicken soup.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Douglas]

When sneezing and coughing, know that it is the whole universe sneezing and coughing with your nose and throat.

If not feeling that fact fully, have confidence in such fact and take it on trust. Each sneeze is the universe returning to the universe.

Even the cold virus is the universe, but so are the antibodies. Their struggle, and your fever, is the dance of the universe too.

One may recite the Metta Verses for yourself and all others with the sniffles ... May we be healthy and, when not, at ease in all our ills.

Other than that, the Buddha recommends aspirin, rest ... and chicken soup.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

Thank you!

You know, it occurred to me...maybe I should be thankful to the cold. I wouldn't know what it's like not to have a cold, if I never had one. So it provides appreciation!

That being said, if I could talk to "Mr. Cold" I'd say "I appreciate you providing me with the opportunity to be grateful when I don't have a cold. Do you need to remind me so often?"

Gassho
Satlah

[Taiji]

Hi, Douglas!

Chikyou and Jundo-Roshi have already shared some great stuff, and I won't try to re-invent the wheel. For what it's worth, though, here's a thought that bubbled across the surface of my brain when I read your post:

Ultimately, Zazen seems to me to be about being fully present in this moment, and this one, and this next one, too, and so on. Sometimes those moments are full of being sick, or whatever uncomfortable experience. Usually, when I'm sick or I'm laid out with a migraine, right-here-now-in-this-moment is about the last place I'd really like to be, so it strikes me that whether or not I'm physically on my cushion, it's a kind of practice to just be present with the experience and not expect anything in particular out of it, not spend thoughts and energy on wishing it would go away or daydreaming myself into another headspace. Can't say it ever makes anything "better" for me, but I find it to be a good teacher at least.

Your mileage may vary, naturally, and in any case, best wishes for a quick recovery to you!

Gassho,
Taiji
Sat/LAH Today

[Jundo]

Hi, Douglas!

Ultimately, Zazen seems to me to be about being fully present in this moment, and this one, and this next one, too, and so on. Sometimes those moments are full of being sick, or whatever uncomfortable experience. Usually, when I'm sick or I'm laid out with a migraine, right-here-now-in-this-moment is about the last place I'd really like to be, so it strikes me that whether or not I'm physically on my cushion, it's a kind of practice to just be present with the experience and not expect anything in particular out of it, not spend thoughts and energy on wishing it would go away or daydreaming myself into another headspace. Can't say it ever makes anything "better" for me, but I find it to be a good teacher at least.

Now, I wish that THIS Wisdom was truly contagious!

Gassho Achoo, J
stlah

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

I fully agree with the above, and share the same mindset as Taiji in relation to my own (gut) pain. Sometimes it’s bad enough that I can’t sit, so I just lie there and be present with it. Pain can be a great teacher in how it reminds you to be fully in the here and now.

Plus, it’s just a sensation, an event, a moment, an occurrence. Like the Beatles said, “Let it be,” and then go and be with it. Pain is just pain, but add the desire to be free of it, or wallow in its “badness,” and now we have both pain and suffering.

Aiya~~~!

As for nasal issues like colds and allergies, one of the perks of a digital zendo is that no one hears our sniffles and sneezes

Hope you feel better soon!

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Myo-jin]

Some years ago I was acquainted with a lady who was married to a priest and they had two sons.
Both sons went to Eiheiji to train, and she said that they told her that if they caught a cold then they just had to sit Zazen with snot running down their faces.

On the other hand, if I get a cold then I tend to deal with it before Zazen; drink tea, clear the tubes, whatever it takes.

I think there’s room for both approaches and sometimes you just have to let the nose run, while other times you can do something about it. Sometimes you just have to lay on the sofa and feel rotten, but that too can be practice.

Get well soon

Gassho
Myojin

[Bion]

Yes, coughing and a stuffy nose are challenging! Keep your mouth open and breathe as best as you can through it. Drain your sinuses and nose a bit before starting to sit, have a handkerchief at hand and be ready to meet whatever arises. Sometimes coughing is unavoidable, sometimes we end up with snot on our top lip, sometimes we need to wipe our nose and someties we let it run. Whatever is appropriate in the moment and for the circumstances. And take some medicine!

Gassho
sat lah