The Meditation Schtuff

[chicanobudista]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

I guess some folks gotta make a buck, but sometimes checking some of the "schtuff" sellers' web pages, it makes wonder who buys the stuff. Take for example this:



This is sold as a handcrafted incense cup sold for $22.00. The web page doesn't say why this is a "special" cup.

Yesterday, I went to one of those discount salvage stores. Folks that buy crates of unsold goods & re-sell 'em. I usually go there once a week and see if I can find some chachara to buy on the cheap. Yesterday, I found what looks to me like a small blue soup dish. Really pretty. And useful as an incense cup. Price? $1.00.

[Stephanie]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

I find a good zafu and zabuton indispensable. It's a relatively expensive investment ($80+ for two pillows?) but worth it; I've had mine for five years now and expect to have it for many more. I also prefer buckwheat to kapok filling, my legs hurt more when I sit on squishy kapok zafus. I have a harder time settling my mind when sitting in a chair, though I can do that in a pinch, when traveling (I've thought about buying a "travel zafu," but I have not yet been able to stomach the notion of dropping $30 on a glorified beach ball with a piece of cloth on it). Sometimes, in hotels, I've even used a phone book in lieu of a zafu.

Other than that, there's nothing I find absolutely essential. I personally do like to have an altar set up. It helps to inspire me. Mine has a statue of Kannon, an incense bowl, and a couple of sea shells (I associate the ocean with Mind and also Great Compassion, also other qualities, such as mystery and the maternal). I personally like using incense, it helps create an atmosphere that brings me into a certain frame of mind. Though I can certainly do with out it, and often have to do, especially having lived in housing that prohibited its use.

And I actually enjoy sitting zazen nude (in which case, yes, it's good to put a towel or other sort of cloth on your zafu to keep your "human schtuff" from rubbing off on your zafu...), or just in underwear like a yogi in a loincloth, when I'm on my own. Usually in lieu of clothes I wrap a blanket around me. There's something about it that calms me... no joke! And the only way I can sit in full lotus without my top leg sliding off is to do so in shorts or less, as the skin-to-skin friction keeps my foot from sliding down. I usually don't sit full lotus any more though, so it's not really an issue.

[Shindo]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

zafu, mat, wall & occasional incense
oh & if the kids can keep the noise down - so much the better
Kind regards
Jools

[chicanobudista]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

I find a good zafu and zabuton indispensable. It's a relatively expensive investment ($80+ for two pillows?) but worth it; I've had mine for five years now and expect to have it for many more.

One of our members in the meditation group gave me for free the zafu and zabuton with the condition that if I ever moved to a seiza bench, I would give it to someone who need it. The gift that keeps on giving. :mrgreen:

[lindabeekeeper]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

If you would like to make your own zafu and zabuton, here is the link that I used.

http://www.enabling.org/ia/vipassana/Archive/Z/zafuSewingInstructions.html

I filled mine with buckwheat. The nice thing is that you can fill it to whatever hardness you prefer.

Gassho,

Linda

[Jundo]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

And I actually enjoy sitting zazen nude

Okay guys, you convinced me. I'm sitting nude on the "sit-a-long" netcast tonight. :shock:

Gassho, Jundo

[Stephanie]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

And I actually enjoy sitting zazen nude

Okay guys, you convinced me. I'm sitting nude on the "sit-a-long" netcast tonight. :shock:

Gassho, Jundo

Haha! Are you going to start charging a fee for people to access your vids & pics now? :wink:

[Ryumon]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

I have to admit, when Stephanie said this it sounded enticing. But I'm not sure I want to see Jundo in the buff. :-)

Kirk

[chessie]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

The times I can sit at home (which are few) I use a seiza bench that I've had for decades. I had two at one point, but one warped beyond usefullness. I still have the bell I used a long time ago, but it's packed away, and with the bell on the timer here at treeleaf, I don't need it get it out just yet. At work, I use a chair. Or, and this is peculiar--I have a desktop podium that I bought for work so that I could try doing part of my day standing just to burn more calories in a sedentary job. Now, I can adapt the podium on the floor as a sort-of seiza bench. For some reason, I cannot, despite all trying, sit cross legged. My knees are several inches over the floor and my hips hurt a lot. I want to get to where this works for me, but that may be a long time hence. Ann

[Eika]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

Chessie wrote:
My knees are several inches over the floor and my hips hurt a lot. I want to get to where this works for me, but that may be a long time hence. Ann

My advice: keep at it . . . it may take a long time for things to loosen up to where it is feasible, but we are in this for the long haul, no?

Gassho,
Bill

[MikeBr]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

Chessie

At retreats I've often seen people sitting cross-legged, with one or more little cushions beneath their knees, for support. It's more "schtuff," I know, but the plus side of using it might be a kindness to your hips as they gradually adapt.

You could also try this Pilates exercise:
http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/ ... -Folds.htm
It works, given time.

Mike

[FeMonky]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

Okay guys, you convinced me. I'm sitting nude on the "sit-a-long" netcast tonight. :shock:

Gassho, Jundo

GAH! Jundo, I love you like a brother, but please NO! ops:

Anyhoo.. this gives me the opportunity to post something I've been mulling around in my brain pan for a bit:::
Xander's Dharma on a Dime (tm)
If you cannot find the budget to get an OFFICIAL Zafu, and blankets just aren't sturdy enough, I've found a cheap and easy solution.
I purchased some "fun Noodles" from Wal-mart. High density foam tubes for swimming.
Using a sharp knife, I cut the noodle into pieces just slightly wider than my posterior and duct taped them together. I used four pieces 2x2. Makes a cheap little seiza bench! Cost here in KC = about $10
If you want it to be prettier, then buy a nice pillow case! :twisted:

gassho,
Xander

[FeMonky]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

Hey, speaking of the Shtuff
I found this, http://www.dharmashop.com/details.mgi?NUM=jp071, in the Dharmashop.com


Cute, considering our little group's theme
:wink:
Or I may take the pattern and fashion one from my own budding resin casting skillz

Gassho en encore,
Xander

[Alberto]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

If you cannot find the budget to get an OFFICIAL Zafu, and blankets just aren't sturdy enough, I've found a cheap and easy solution.
I purchased some "fun Noodles" from Wal-mart. High density foam tubes for swimming.
Using a sharp knife, I cut the noodle into pieces just slightly wider than my posterior and duct taped them together. I used four pieces 2x2. Makes a cheap little seiza bench! Cost here in KC = about $10
If you want it to be prettier, then buy a nice pillow case!

Or instead of a pillow case, create a diversion so nobody will see your funky cushion: sit au naturel !!! (I ain't doing no postrations around naked sentient beings)

[Longdog]

Re: The Meditation Schtuff

With meditation robes like yoda one can be....

Or if the darkside get's you black.

Underwear optional ops:

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