Shikantaza easy? Or am i doing it wrong

[Shinshou]

it’s not ok to think of jiu jitsu practice when on the beach , I should be focused on the whole beach experience.

I'm not sure I agree with that...I'd say when on the beach, just be on the beach; when on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu, just be on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu. It just becomes part of the "whole beach experience." There is nothing outside of reality whether we realize it or not.

As always, just my experience.

Shinshou (Dan)
Sat Today

[Jundo]

I'm not sure I agree with that...I'd say when on the beach, just be on the beach; when on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu, just be on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu. It just becomes part of the "whole beach experience." There is nothing outside of reality whether we realize it or not.

I am with you on this. When on the beach, sometimes just be on the beach ... that is what is. When on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu, just be on the beach thinking about jiu jitsu ... that is what is.

I think people sometimes confuse being "in the moment" (a lovely thing sometimes, to do one action at one time with full attention) with allowing the moment to just be the moment. Sometimes I do the former (for example, when playing with my kids in the park, I just do that with full attention), and sometimes I do the latter. Even "multi-tasking," which is sometimes necessary in our busy days, is fine when one must multi-task. When multi-tasking, just be one with multi-tasking ... for that is what is. Each in its proper place and time, no problem.

Some folks think that Zen is about always being "one action in one moment with full attention" all the time, and that sounds like a horrible way to live frankly.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Jakuden]

I have to say that this teaching has resolved a huge amount of guilt I always used to carry. One of my first posts at Treeleaf was about Zazen being difficult because I always felt guilty that I should be doing something else. Now in some ways I am actually less “mindful” than I used to be, but it’s such a relief not to worry about it! I am fine with whatever is going on around me, whether it’s multitasking or focusing, whatever the moment demands. I try to carry the spacious awareness of Zazen with me, so I can appreciate the lunch I’m eating while I do my paperwork, and be still a little amazed that I am reading my teacher’s words from Japan on a little screen while I do my nighttime routine. If we can’t abandon our families and go live in a mud hut, then we have to keep up with today’s world, and it’s just too fast-paced not to multitask sometimes.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH/muktitasked


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[babyleaf]

I've been scanning this thread also. I've been having the hardest time truly understanding the easiness of Shikantaza.

To be honest I rarely feel ease with arisings in my practice. Being natural and letting things be natural is sort of a mind bending concept to me, rooted in non-doing yet there being a slight intentionality behind Zazen.

Despite difficulty with sitting, I do notice how my relationship to arisings has changed for the better. Anxiety comes up a lot in social situations which I can't avoid so I feel I've gotten to know it quite well. I've also noticed that my daily life can be a great teacher. I sometimes notice I've slipped into doing something naturally without the usual intensive effort and it shows me what it's like to "not do". It seems to be a concept that's felt rather than understood in our heads so to speak. Even though I don't feel it so often, I am grateful for the moments I do.

In a way I feel afraid to sit. I seem to get washed away in my "doing mind" almost always and I feel like I get stuck there, and it grows. Reading everyone's posts here is a great support though and helps me feel it's ok.

I was a bit hesitant to write about this. I usually want to make sure I stick to posting if I really feel I have something positive, helpful, or interesting, but not really knowing anyone close to me who meditates, this thought has been a bit stuck with me.

ANYWAYS, it does sound like you're on the right track Mattias . I think I'm inching my way there myself. Apologies if this wasn't appropriate, I kind of felt I needed to get that off my chest.

All the best.

Gassho
Gaby
Will Sit now

[Jishin]

You are are doing great!

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Mp]

I've been scanning this thread also. I've been having the hardest time truly understanding the easiness of Shikantaza.

To be honest I rarely feel ease with arisings in my practice. Being natural and letting things be natural is sort of a mind bending concept to me, rooted in non-doing yet there being a slight intentionality behind Zazen.

Despite difficulty with sitting, I do notice how my relationship to arisings has changed for the better. Anxiety comes up a lot in social situations which I can't avoid so I feel I've gotten to know it quite well. I've also noticed that my daily life can be a great teacher. I sometimes notice I've slipped into doing something naturally without the usual intensive effort and it shows me what it's like to "not do". It seems to be a concept that's felt rather than understood in our heads so to speak. Even though I don't feel it so often, I am grateful for the moments I do.

In a way I feel afraid to sit. I seem to get washed away in my "doing mind" almost always and I feel like I get stuck there, and it grows. Reading everyone's posts here is a great support though and helps me feel it's ok.

I was a bit hesitant to write about this. I usually want to make sure I stick to posting if I really feel I have something positive, helpful, or interesting, but not really knowing anyone close to me who meditates, this thought has been a bit stuck with me.

ANYWAYS, it does sound like you're on the right track Mattias . I think I'm inching my way there myself. Apologies if this wasn't appropriate, I kind of felt I needed to get that off my chest.

All the best.

Gassho
Gaby
Will Sit now

Hey Gaby,

First off, life and practice are not all just about the good times, the positive times. There are times when they can be frustrating or scary and in those times, we too are here to help and support.

As an encouraging note, it sounds that your practice is doing well. Regardless of how long you have been sitting/practicing, things still will come up, we are not separate from life. The beauty of this practice is it allows us to just be with whatever comes up, see it for what it is, and allow it to go on it's merry way. When we become stuck, it is because the mind is fixated on those thoughts or feelings. We may not see it right away, but when we do, just bring yourself back to your posture, take a breath in, and let the fixation go.

This takes time, so be patient, this is a life long practice. If you get stuck, we are here to help. Keep at it, you are doing great ... in time you see these moments of being stuck less and less. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Beakon]

"The VOICES Parade"

When you practice zazen, there will be a parade.

First in the parade, you forgot to do laundry.

Second is the marching band that goes, "should've I done that?"

After the parade is over, everything keeps moving on.

Remind yourself of the voices parade, even while you are in waking life.

Watch the entire parade as a spectator, not a volunteer.

[babyleaf]

Thank you Jishin and Shingen for the encouragement! And thank you Beakon for the analogy of voices being like a parade that passes on.

I've been sitting considering what you said Shingen. I've been growing more accepting of typical negative emotions (anxiety, anger, sadness...) but I think I've realised I haven't been so with my occasional unwholesome reactions to them. Sometimes I feel equanimity. But when I don't, I've been refusing to accept the absence of it, convincing myself that I'm doing something wrong or that the Zazen is wrong.

Thank you all for inspiring me again. Sorry to hijack the thread Mattias . But I'm glad I got the support I think was much needed.

All the best.

Gassho
Gaby
Sat Today

[Jundo]

Sometimes I feel equanimity. But when I don't, I've been refusing to accept the absence of it, convincing myself that I'm doing something wrong or that the Zazen is wrong.

Ah, no equanimity about sometimes feeling no equanimity.

Try instead to feel deep equanimity about sometimes feeling equanimity and sometimes not feeling equanimity.

It sounds strange at first, but the latter is much wiser about being human.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[babyleaf]

Thank you Jundo! Will keep that with me.

Gassho
Gaby
Sat Today

[Mattias]

Hi everybody. Sorry for bumping this thread. But i just wanted to express my gratitude to you all for taking the time to answer my questions, very informative and helpful answers, gassho .
Sorry also for the late reply but I had a rough couple of weeks since I got back from vacation, nothing serious just ordinary life with work and family.

Gassho
Sat today

[Mattias]

No worries , i dont think you hijacked anything. Glad to see you got support for your practice, best wishes .

Gassho
Sat today

[Jishin]

Hi everybody. Sorry for bumping this thread. But i just wanted to express my gratitude to you all for taking the time to answer my questions, very informative and helpful answers, gassho .
Sorry also for the late reply but I had a rough couple of weeks since I got back from vacation, nothing serious just ordinary life with work and family.

Gassho
Sat today

No worries , i dont think you hijacked anything. Glad to see you got support for your practice, best wishes .

Gassho
Sat today

Hi Mattias,

I think you are doing great. Effort is most important and outcome less so. I see good effort! Let me know if any questions have not been answered to your satisfaction. You are doing a good job!

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_