Dear all
This is the first draft of a resource I hope to be made available on the site to support those in our community who have physical challenges with their practice through illness and/or disability.
Suggestions for any alterations or additions are welcomed, especially from those members of the sangha who are affected in this way.
Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-
************************************
ZEN PRACTICE WITH PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR DISABILITY
Treeleaf is an online sangha, designed with the intention of providing a place for people to practice Zen who are not able to physically access a ‘bricks and mortar’ dharma centre. Reasons for not being able to attend a physical centre include reasons of geography, life circumstances (such as working hours, caring for young children or sick relatives) and, also, having physical illness or disability.
As such, we wish to be inclusive to those members who do have physical challenges in their everyday lives which will also apply to some aspects of practicing Zen. This information is intended to answer some of the most frequently asked questions which may cause people with physical disabilities to think they cannot practice Zen or cannot do so ‘properly’, and also provide some resources on the topic from Zen and Buddhist teachers and organisations.
Although some of us in the sangha already practice with disability and/or physical illness, the challenges we face may not be the challenges that you face. While we have attempted to be as inclusive as we can, please let us know if you require information or assistance that is not here, and applies to your particular situation. By doing this, we can increase the scope of support offered.
SITTING POSTURE
Zen can be a very physical practice. To begin with, being able to sustain posture on the cushion can be very demanding for anyone with challenges to their physical health. When we see rows of students sitting in the lotus posture, or half-lotus, Burmese etc, that can seem like the correct way to do things. However, forcing yourself into a posture which is more than a little uncomfortable (postures can initially feel odd as your body adjusts to them) is not conducive to good sitting and this is even more true if trying to do so might cause you long-term damage through pushing your body too hard.
If you can do the traditional postures but need support in the form of additional cushions, a neck brace, back support and such like, it is completely fine to do this.
Alternative postures to the standard zafu sitting include sitting in a chair (often with a cushion or zafu under your feet so if they do not naturally reach the floor), lying on your side (such as the Buddha’s parinirvana posture) and lying on your back (including support under your knees) such as in the yoga śavāsana (corpse) pose.
This article gives some advice on alternative postures.
It is perfectly fine to attend zazenkai and other sits and ceremonies in supported or reclining postures.
BOWING
Bowing, especially full-length prostrations, can be physically demanding. If prostrations are required in the weekly zazenkai or other ceremony, you can instead visualise doing this with your hands held in gassho (if you are able). If the gassho position (palms together and held with the base of the thumbs in the centre of the chest) cannot be achieved or maintained, it is okay just to visualise doing this also.
KINHIN
Kinhin (mindful walking) occurs between sessions of zazen in the weekly and monthly zazenkai. If you are unable to walk, then this can be substituted with mindfully drinking a cup of tea or just sitting and watching others walk on screen. If you are able to do a small amount of kinhin then do this and then stop when you have reached your limit and either sit or drink tea as above.
SEWING
Jukai (taking the precepts) and Shukke Tokudo (homeleaving ordination) both require sewing as part of the preparation for the ceremony. Before Jukai, participants sew a rakusu. Before Shukke Tokudo a kesa is sewn. These sewing activities are part of a commitment to the practice and the ceremony about to happen but rely on the sangha member being sufficiently able to sew.
If you require assistance or modifications to the normal method to be able to sew (such as using a machine rather than hand stitching) this should almost always be possible. If no sewing, or very limited sewing is possible, then a family member or sangha friend can make part or whole of the rakusu or kesa for you. We do not wish someone who wishes to be part of the sangha and take the precepts to be prevented from doing so because of this.
PAIN
Here at Treeleaf, we sit zazen in the traditional Sōtō style, in full completeness with nothing lacking. However, while it is not the aim of practice, it has been noticed that levels of pain during and after sitting can feel reduced. This may be of benefit to sangha members who experience pain, especially chronic pain.
Jundo talks about sitting with pain and alternative postures here.
TIME AWAY FROM THE SANGHA
Some people with illness and disability find it hard to sustain a consistent interaction with Treeleaf or need periods of time away when their health becomes bad. Firstly, many able-bodied members have life circumstances which mean that they also struggle to keep up with the sangha on a day-to-day basis and many also take time away for personal reasons, so you are not alone in this. Secondly, there is a thread on the forum for letting us know if you are going to be away for a while. Please let one of the unsui or a sangha friend know if you would like us to be in contact and support you while you are away. It is often the times that you need to be away from the sangha that you might need us most.
SANGHA CONTACT POINT
If you wish to discuss any issues around disability and/or physical illness and how you can be supported in your practice then please contact Kokuu. He has been practicing with chronic illness himself for 21 years. Also let him know if you wish to suggest modifications and improvements for this resource guide.
RESOURCES
Articles
Buddhism and Disability
Handicapped Buddhism by Richard Louis Bruno
Books
How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide by Toni Bernhard
Lotus in the Fire: the healing power of Zen by Jim Bedard
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
This Is Getting Old. Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity by Susan Moon
Turning Suffering Inside Out by Darlene Cohen
Talks
Dongshan is Unwell (Norman Fischer)
Radical Acceptance and Practicing Radical Acceptance (Tara Brach)
Suffering and Gratitude (Norman Fischer)
Transforming Illness Through Love and Letting Go (Susan Bauer-Wu)
This is the first draft of a resource I hope to be made available on the site to support those in our community who have physical challenges with their practice through illness and/or disability.
Suggestions for any alterations or additions are welcomed, especially from those members of the sangha who are affected in this way.
Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-
************************************
ZEN PRACTICE WITH PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR DISABILITY
Treeleaf is an online sangha, designed with the intention of providing a place for people to practice Zen who are not able to physically access a ‘bricks and mortar’ dharma centre. Reasons for not being able to attend a physical centre include reasons of geography, life circumstances (such as working hours, caring for young children or sick relatives) and, also, having physical illness or disability.
As such, we wish to be inclusive to those members who do have physical challenges in their everyday lives which will also apply to some aspects of practicing Zen. This information is intended to answer some of the most frequently asked questions which may cause people with physical disabilities to think they cannot practice Zen or cannot do so ‘properly’, and also provide some resources on the topic from Zen and Buddhist teachers and organisations.
Although some of us in the sangha already practice with disability and/or physical illness, the challenges we face may not be the challenges that you face. While we have attempted to be as inclusive as we can, please let us know if you require information or assistance that is not here, and applies to your particular situation. By doing this, we can increase the scope of support offered.
SITTING POSTURE
Zen can be a very physical practice. To begin with, being able to sustain posture on the cushion can be very demanding for anyone with challenges to their physical health. When we see rows of students sitting in the lotus posture, or half-lotus, Burmese etc, that can seem like the correct way to do things. However, forcing yourself into a posture which is more than a little uncomfortable (postures can initially feel odd as your body adjusts to them) is not conducive to good sitting and this is even more true if trying to do so might cause you long-term damage through pushing your body too hard.
If you can do the traditional postures but need support in the form of additional cushions, a neck brace, back support and such like, it is completely fine to do this.
Alternative postures to the standard zafu sitting include sitting in a chair (often with a cushion or zafu under your feet so if they do not naturally reach the floor), lying on your side (such as the Buddha’s parinirvana posture) and lying on your back (including support under your knees) such as in the yoga śavāsana (corpse) pose.
This article gives some advice on alternative postures.
It is perfectly fine to attend zazenkai and other sits and ceremonies in supported or reclining postures.
BOWING
Bowing, especially full-length prostrations, can be physically demanding. If prostrations are required in the weekly zazenkai or other ceremony, you can instead visualise doing this with your hands held in gassho (if you are able). If the gassho position (palms together and held with the base of the thumbs in the centre of the chest) cannot be achieved or maintained, it is okay just to visualise doing this also.
KINHIN
Kinhin (mindful walking) occurs between sessions of zazen in the weekly and monthly zazenkai. If you are unable to walk, then this can be substituted with mindfully drinking a cup of tea or just sitting and watching others walk on screen. If you are able to do a small amount of kinhin then do this and then stop when you have reached your limit and either sit or drink tea as above.
SEWING
Jukai (taking the precepts) and Shukke Tokudo (homeleaving ordination) both require sewing as part of the preparation for the ceremony. Before Jukai, participants sew a rakusu. Before Shukke Tokudo a kesa is sewn. These sewing activities are part of a commitment to the practice and the ceremony about to happen but rely on the sangha member being sufficiently able to sew.
If you require assistance or modifications to the normal method to be able to sew (such as using a machine rather than hand stitching) this should almost always be possible. If no sewing, or very limited sewing is possible, then a family member or sangha friend can make part or whole of the rakusu or kesa for you. We do not wish someone who wishes to be part of the sangha and take the precepts to be prevented from doing so because of this.
PAIN
Here at Treeleaf, we sit zazen in the traditional Sōtō style, in full completeness with nothing lacking. However, while it is not the aim of practice, it has been noticed that levels of pain during and after sitting can feel reduced. This may be of benefit to sangha members who experience pain, especially chronic pain.
Jundo talks about sitting with pain and alternative postures here.
TIME AWAY FROM THE SANGHA
Some people with illness and disability find it hard to sustain a consistent interaction with Treeleaf or need periods of time away when their health becomes bad. Firstly, many able-bodied members have life circumstances which mean that they also struggle to keep up with the sangha on a day-to-day basis and many also take time away for personal reasons, so you are not alone in this. Secondly, there is a thread on the forum for letting us know if you are going to be away for a while. Please let one of the unsui or a sangha friend know if you would like us to be in contact and support you while you are away. It is often the times that you need to be away from the sangha that you might need us most.
SANGHA CONTACT POINT
If you wish to discuss any issues around disability and/or physical illness and how you can be supported in your practice then please contact Kokuu. He has been practicing with chronic illness himself for 21 years. Also let him know if you wish to suggest modifications and improvements for this resource guide.
RESOURCES
Articles
Buddhism and Disability
Handicapped Buddhism by Richard Louis Bruno
Books
How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide by Toni Bernhard
Lotus in the Fire: the healing power of Zen by Jim Bedard
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
This Is Getting Old. Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity by Susan Moon
Turning Suffering Inside Out by Darlene Cohen
Talks
Dongshan is Unwell (Norman Fischer)
Radical Acceptance and Practicing Radical Acceptance (Tara Brach)
Suffering and Gratitude (Norman Fischer)
Transforming Illness Through Love and Letting Go (Susan Bauer-Wu)
My eyesight is not good enough to drive or do some of the activities that have given me enjoyment. I'm not as strong as I used to be. It is definitely something I'm practicing with. 
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