Daily practice...struggles...

[Koki]

Again, I've been awol a bit. Even though I've been sitting for MANY years, at times a feel depressed and struggle through my practice.
Perhaps it's just the changing seasons of life, but some of the Dharma gates I've knocked on seem forever locked to me.
Im not looking for words of encouragement. I'm just sharing in case someone else me feel that way sometimes, so they know they're not alone.
Carrying on with qigong and sitting in the hopes that something shakes free.

My wife gave me the best words of wisdom the other day.
"In an airplane, you have to put on your own mask, before you help others".

I guess my mask was on, but leaking.
Time to refit the mask.

Gassho my Sangha
I miss you

Koki
Satoday

[Shoka]

Im not looking for words of encouragement. I'm just sharing in case someone else me feel that way sometimes, so they know they're not alone.
Carrying on with qigong and sitting in the hopes that something shakes free.

Koki,

Thank you for sharing. I can guarantee you there are others in the boat with you.... like me. A little struggle makes the practice that much more meaningful.

No words of wisdom, but letting you know others are there too.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Nengei]

Gassho,
然芸 Nengei
Sat today. LAH.
You deserve to be happy.
You deserve to be loved.

[Meitou]

Koki, I would bet that all of us go through this periodically, I certainly do.When I feel this way I remind myself of what I learned when sewing the rakusu - take it one stitch at a time.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday

[Jundo]

Hi Koki,

This one is for you too ...

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?16761-Sitting-With-All-This-is-Helpful-Thanks&p=237076&viewfull=1#post237076

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[r.warn]

Thank you for sharing, Koki.

Your commitment is inspiring.

Gassho
Randy
s2d

[Koki]

Jundo, and Everyone....thank you for your kind response. It reminds me that I'm not alone in this cyber Sangha, that at times...I can hear my heart beating in the silence.

I've walked this path long enough to know one thing...the journey doesn't end. Continued learning through good or bad decisions, life brings its waves for his to ride, and "the band plays on"

I keep you ALL close to me, like holding hands along the path...I'm not far from you...or the truth inside me.

Sitting...just sitting...shikantaza...a name without a sound, which deafens my thoughts. Not good. Not bad. Non-existing existence.

Gassho my Sangha
Koki
Satoday


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[Eva]

Gassho, Koki .

sattoday and also LAH

[Meitou]

Jundo, and Everyone....thank you for your kind response. It reminds me that I'm not alone in this cyber Sangha, that at times...I can hear my heart beating in the silence.

I've walked this path long enough to know one thing...the journey doesn't end. Continued learning through good or bad decisions, life brings its waves for his to ride, and "the band plays on"

I keep you ALL close to me, like holding hands along the path...I'm not far from you...or the truth inside me.

Sitting...just sitting...shikantaza...a name without a sound, which deafens my thoughts. Not good. Not bad. Non-existing existence.

Gassho my Sangha
Koki
Satoday


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Meitou
satwithyoualltoday lah

[Washin]

I'm certainly there too. Thank you for sharing, Koki

Gassho
Washin
sat morning sit

[Shoki]

Koki,
Welcome to the club as they say. I'd say many feel what you feel from time to time. I do. If today is going to be a lousy day, if I'm in a down mood, if my zazen today is a jumble of noise, then so be it. That's just the way it is right now. These feeling will probably not cause the universe to implode.

Gassho
ST/lah
James

[Rich]

Attachments and desires are strong and habitual. May we let them go and enjoy the present.

Sat/lah


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[Junkyo]

Thanks for sharing Koki!

I sometimes feel the same way, especially when life gets busy and I don't have the time to "practice" the way I sometimes think I should.
Then I usually remember that all of my life is practice and I can just "be" in what ever I am doing. Even if I'm busy!

Gassho,

Junkyo
SAT

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[Alfaiate]

Hi Koki, since i started Shikantaza, i get phases when i´m feeling pretty good and some phases
i get a bit of confusion and/or anxiety / fear.

stumbled upon this article a few weeks ago, HELPED ME A LOT!!

https://alohadharma.com/2011/06/12/the-dark-night/

Gassho
Sat Today.

[Koki]

Thank you!
Koki

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