Local Sanghas/Temples

[Nanrin]

Hi Maitri,

Just to clarify, you are also practicing and sitting Shikantaza in the manner around here, at least once a day? That is the one thing we ask when around here.

When on a football field, play football. If on a baseball field, play baseball.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

Yes.

I've watched and sat-a-long with the beginner video series and sit Shikantasa every single day since according my best understanding. I used to worry a lot about different meditation techniques and "doing it right." Shikantasa sets all that aside in a beautiful way. Thank you for the teaching. It has corrected many of my misunderstandings.

I thought long and hard before joining Treeleaf (and talked with my teacher here). I hope it is ok to share my experiences and knowledge about Theravada here when relevant. The recipes vary, but true Dharma is all of one flavor, liberation.

Maitri

SatToday

[lotus-of-the-mtn]

I don't know. What gets you well keeps you well. Don't fix it til it's broke. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

If you ain't getting what you need then check the others out. Otherwise life is too short for this and that.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

I am definitely getting what I need. This was a good lesson on not fixing what isn't broken; on the tendency to "spiritually shop", or just shop in general whenever we feel like we want "more".

Breaking it down, I have community here. I have 24/7 access I wouldn't otherwise have at a "one-roof" group. Everything I need is right here.

I thank you Jishin, particularly for your insight. And to everyone else for their input.

Deep bows to your practice.

Gassho
Tamber
satlah

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[Jishin]

[emoji106][emoji106]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Kyoshin]

This really is a uniquely wonderful community. Y'all are all fantastic!
Gassho
Nick

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[Jundo]

Yes.

I've watched and sat-a-long with the beginner video series and sit Shikantasa every single day since according my best understanding. I used to worry a lot about different meditation techniques and "doing it right." Shikantasa sets all that aside in a beautiful way. Thank you for the teaching. It has corrected many of my misunderstandings.

I thought long and hard before joining Treeleaf (and talked with my teacher here). I hope it is ok to share my experiences and knowledge about Theravada here when relevant. The recipes vary, but true Dharma is all of one flavor, liberation.

Maitri

SatToday

Yes, please share. It is good to learn something of other ways sometimes. Same, but sometimes very different. Ofte. different, but always just the same.

Gassho, Jundo

StLah

[Doshin]

One thing said for a local Sangha it gets you out around other sentient beings. A couple times a year I drive 4 hours to sit for a weekend. Committing to that distance and being in a Zendo keeps me there for some intensive practice. I would not stay so seated at home. With that Treeleaf is central to my practice.

Gassho
Doshin
ST

Jishin, after reading your responses above I feel honored you let me sit with you last year when you visited!��

[Jishin]

Local Sanghas/Temples

Jishin, after reading your responses above I feel honored you let me sit with you last year when you visited!��

I am honored you let a bum like me hang out with your family, dogs included.

[emoji3]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Alfaiate]

I do have a Soto Zen organization in my town.

Used to go there and sit. Got traumatized with pain in legs/knees.

Now i sit Shikantaza at home twice a day in a uber confortable chair.

Maybe i´m lost case. ah ah


Gasho
Sat today

[Emmet]

The last whisp of sunset on the wall before me; the unseen but strongly felt presence of beloved Dharma brothers & sisters sitting on either side; the comfortable familiarity and belongingness of our Dharma family, united in shared purpose; the peaceful evening silence broken only by the sound of a great horned owl calling to it's mate.
I will always be deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to sit with a brick-and-mortar sangha.

Sat today.

[Jakuden]

So funny, as different as the last two posts are, they both evoked my complete and immediate recognition and empathy [emoji23]

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


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[Jundo]

The last whisp of sunset on the wall before me; the unseen but strongly felt presence of beloved Dharma brothers & sisters sitting on either side; the comfortable familiarity and belongingness of our Dharma family, united in shared purpose; the peaceful evening silence broken only by the sound of a great horned owl calling to it's mate.
I will always be deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to sit with a brick-and-mortar sangha.

Sat today.

Yep. We encourage folks to get out and sit with groups when they can, it is marvelous. All sitting is marvelous. Sit with us when you can't get to those groups. It is marvelous too.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Kokuu]

I do have a Soto Zen organization in my town.

Used to go there and sit. Got traumatized with pain in legs/knees.

Hi Alfaiate

If you are ever in this situation again, please ask the teacher or meditation leader for help either with posture and meditation cushion height, or if you can sit in a chair if you are too comfortable otherwise.

It is not the purpose of meditation to be a test of pushing through pain but I know that it can be difficult to draw attention to yourself.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Jundo]

Dear Aidfaiate,

Kokuu is right on.

I will also suggest this that I posted in another discussion today. Try this too.

For posture, we are each our own teachers. If it feels balanced and comfortable and causes no strange symptoms then, well, it is balanced and comfortable and good posture.

Here is the book we recommend about each of us being our own "sitting posture teacher" ...

Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6913-Book-Recommendation-THE-POSTURE-OF-MEDITATION

I actually think it more helpful than the "one size fits all" attitude sometimes found in Japanese Zen groups. Even if we were in a "bricks and mortar" Sangha, I really cannot get inside your head and body to tell you what is best ... but you can.

Gassho, Jundo

STLAH

[Meitou]

The last whisp of sunset on the wall before me; the unseen but strongly felt presence of beloved Dharma brothers & sisters sitting on either side; the comfortable familiarity and belongingness of our Dharma family, united in shared purpose; the peaceful evening silence broken only by the sound of a great horned owl calling to it's mate.
I will always be deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to sit with a brick-and-mortar sangha.

Sat today.

I do hope to have the opportunity to experience this one day. There is hope; a couple of weeks ago I found this Sangha, The Centro Zen Anshin in Rome, affiliated to the Sanshin Zen community founded by Shohaku Okumura and run by students two students who have received transmission from him. And Okumura himself is coming later in September! Unfortunately I can't go this time, and although it's only a 30 minute flight away it does mean I can't just pop in, but it's great to know that the opportunity to visit is there.
Gassh0
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/lah

[Shoki]

There are not a lot of zen centers where I live. I started sitting with a Rinzai group 25 years ago in a place that advertised itself as a monastery run by a "zen master." It was a beautiful setting all tricked out with all the trimmings and a staff of "resident monks" I considered joining as a member on some level but because of work, family and travel issues I asked if I could pay less than the required joining fee in a scaled down version. They were overly concerned about how much I would pay. I got a little suspicious. Also, I could not find any info on this so called roshi. Who was his teacher? Did he receive dharma transmission? What's the story with this guy? I got even more suspicious.

I called a fairly well known and respected zen teacher and asked about this guy who just laughed and said, "Oh he's a phony." The whole roshi thing was totally made up. He was not what he said he was. And they wanted my money. So I would respectfully advise, just be careful out there.

Gassho
Sat Today LAH
James