Sitting while ill

[Bob-Midwest]

I fortunately am not ill very often, but doing Zazen with shivers, aches and congestion and cough has been very enlightening and a fortunate opportunity to really just let the sensations and commentary of the mind pass. Working with the approach of what if this were the end, no getting physically better. No experience is not a teaching.

bob
sat, lah

[Seiko]

Bob-Midwest

Hi Bob,
Thank you.
Sitting with today's body, today's mind, because we have no other.

Gasshō, Seiko, stlah

[Jundo]

When moaning and sweating and miserable, practice moaning sweating miserable Zazen.

It is Buddha, the whole universe, moaning and sweating and miserable as you.

(Hope you feel better too. When you feel better, it is Buddha feeling better as your better.)

Gassho, J
stlah

[Kanshin]

I am also sick these days — something my son kindly brought home from school. Runny nose, sore throat, cough, and aching muscles.

So I am practicing “runny-nose Zazen” and “aching-muscles Zazen” as well.

As a friend mentioned during last night’s sit with Myojin, this too is a form of “we share everything.” Apparently, that includes viruses.

Wishing everyone steady practice — in health and in sickness.

Gassho,
Kanshin
sat/lah

[Jundo]

I just heard a nice program about the Buddha's doctor Jīvaka, who is a big deal as a healing spirit in some South Asian traditions, as well as the "patron saint" of doctors down there. He is usually depicted as the old wise man.

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But I am interested in him because he also represents the fact that Buddha got sick too!

Jīvaka ... was the personal physician of the Buddha and the Indian King Bimbisāra. He lived in Rājagṛha, present-day Rajgir, in the 5th century BCE. ...

... Pāli texts often describe Jīvaka giving treatments to the Buddha for several ailments, such as when the Buddha had a cold, and when he was hurt after an attempt on his life by the rebellious monk Devadatta.

... At that time the king of mountains was covered with snow. A great wind blew in the valley and the plains and the Buddha was taken ill with a cold-disorder Jivaka was requested to treat the Buddha. Jivaka applied the refined treatment applicable to a universal king. He administered a medicine made of 32 utpala flowers and substances. The Buddha purged 52 times. The Buddha then told Jivaka, “There are some disorders which, though not purified, are removed; some are purified but not removed; and others which are removed and purified, and others still which are neither removed nor purified. Therefore, give me jaggery and myrobalan fruit.” The Buddha recovered fully.

So, please take two myrobalan fruits, purge, and call me in the morning!

Gassho, J
stlah