Problems with my shikantaza

[Zack]

Hi Zack

As Shingen has said, getting your posture right is a large part of this. Although sitting is neither right nor wrong, having your body sit comfortably makes everything a whole lot easier!

I would echo the calls to buy (or make) a zafu. It does make a big difference to have something that is right for the job.

As Eishuu says, sitting can make you aware of tension already there, or else you may be sitting with too much focus which makes you tense. As Buddha told a lute player, we should be like the strings of a lute - not too tight, not too loose. I also support her advice of trying something in your lap to rest your hands on to see if that makes a difference.

It's great to ask advice here. You have a community of people who sit regularly so someone is bound to have a good answer for you!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

I agree, I'm going to try and purchase a zafu on my check, any ideas on what material it should have inside?


-Sat today

[Mp]

I sat for about ten to fifteen minutes, I sat last night for five minutes and earlier in the day, I'm getting used to it, I've always had bad posture so hopefully, I can fix that.


Sat today

Hey Zack,

Sometimes this is the key, baby steps. =) As Jundo has said many times, zazen is not about long or short in duration. So if it works for your body and mind to start with shorter sits, that too is ok, then in time you can increase the duration. The most important part is the quality of your zazen, not how long. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[KellyRok]

Hi Zack,

There is truly some great advice already here. In your search for a zafu, the contents are really up to personal preference. My Zafu is a mountain seat filled with buckwheat hulls (no foam like the new ones). I have had it for ten years now and it is still in great shape. I purchased it from this site and they offer different types.

https://monasterystore.org/select-a-zafu/

You want a Zafu that is comfortable based on your sitting style. I'm short, but have knee and spine issues, so I used to sit seiza. seiza.jpg
The mountain seat is perfect for sitting seiza. If you can sit in full lotus, half lotus or Burmese then the Bodhi seat kapok filled (from the link above) cushions may work perfect for you. I find that if I stretch gently before sitting it helps with tightness in the shoulders and neck areas.

It sounds like you are on the right track. Keep sitting and adjusting and you will find the best method for you.

Take care Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

[Zack]

Hi Zack,

There is truly some great advice already here. In your search for a zafu, the contents are really up to personal preference. My Zafu is a mountain seat filled with buckwheat hulls (no foam like the new ones). I have had it for ten years now and it is still in great shape. I purchased it from this site and they offer different types.

https://monasterystore.org/select-a-zafu/

You want a Zafu that is comfortable based on your sitting style. I'm short but have knee and spine issues, so I used to sit seiza. [ATTACH=CONFIG]5059[/ATTACH]
The mountain seat is perfect for sitting seiza. If you can sit in full lotus, half lotus or Burmese then the Bodhi seat kapok filled (from the link above) cushions may work perfectly for you. I find that if I stretch gently before sitting it helps with tightness in the shoulders and neck areas.

It sounds like you are on the right track. Keep sitting and adjusting and you will find the best method for you.

Take care Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

I will check that site out, I also like to stretch my legs before I sit, thanks for the advise.
Sat today

[Zack]

Hey Zack,

Sometimes this is the key, baby steps. =) As Jundo has said many times, zazen is not about long or short in duration. So if it works for your body and mind to start with shorter sits, that too is ok, then in time you can increase the duration. The most important part is the quality of your zazen, not how long. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

I agree, last night when I sat, I felt way better than the other night when I sat for fifteen minutes, I've always studied Soto Zen, but I'm glad I'm starting to sit again, slowly but surely.

Sat today

[Mp]

I agree, last night when I sat, I felt way better than the other night when I sat for fifteen minutes, I've always studied Soto Zen, but I'm glad I'm starting to sit again, slowly but surely.

Sat today

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Tairin]

I agree, I'm going to try and purchase a zafu on my check, any ideas on what material it should have inside?

Do you have a Zen Centre nearby? I was practising at a Zen Centre when I bought my zafu. The centre had a variety of zafus available so I had an opportunity to try foam, buckwheat hulls, and kapok. Kind of like Goldilocks I found the foam was too soft and the kapok too hard. Buckwheat hulls were just right for me.



Tairin
Sat today

[Jundo]

And, of course, as a temporary measure ...

how to fold a cushion from a blanket

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13639-how-to-fold-a-cushion-from-a-blanket

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shokai]

Originally Quoted by Tairin;

Buckwheat hulls were just right for me.

eddy.jpg
Eddie does Buckwheat

gassho, Shokai

stlah