ATTENTION! Our 2019 "AT HOME" 2-DAY ROHATSU RETREAT - PREPARATORY LESSONS

[Heiso]

Hi folks,

I won't be able to do the Rohatsu retreat over the weekend. I can't leave my wife with the kids for two days (I'm hoping in a couple of years I will be able to do it live.) But I took Monday and Tuesday off as vacation days so I will have most of the day to my no-self to do parts of the retreat. But once my family comes home around 5:30 pm I will have to do some parenting (kids are a real drag, am I right? ) With that in mind I have a couple of questions from people who have done the retreat with small children. What did you guys do when you couldn't follow the prescribed set of activities?

As of right now I've been thinking about maybe cleaning up the house, cooking meals, doing dishes etc... as samu during that time. Is there anything else that you might suggest?



Thanks!

Gassho
Hoseki
sattoday/lah

I'm going to be in the same boat - I'll be cooking cleaning, child wrangling anyway but maybe I'll try to do that more 'mindfully' then drop in and out of the live recordings when I get a chance.

Gassho,

Neil

StLah

[Junkyo]

As with many others I will be trying to sit live with the retreat as much as possible. However children and household obligations will also need to be looked after!

Thanks to all for your hard work and dedication.

Gassho,

Junkyo
SAT

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Ishin]

I will be participating in Zen time. Simply too much going on right now with holidays, travel and work commitments. But I am here is spirit and will complete in January.

Gassho
Ishin
Sat/lah

[Hoseki]

When not doing the retreat, I suggest you focus 100% on your family and household, and don't think about the retreat. When doing the retreat, then just do the retreat :-)

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH

Hi Jakuden,

I think that's what I will do. I do have another question. Would working on my kesa count as samu? I'm thinking it might not because samu traditionally would be communal work to keep the temple going like laundry and what not. There is plenty to do around my house (such as clean the storage room) sewing doesn't count.

Gassho
Hoseki
sattoday/lah

[Jakuden]

Hi Jakuden,

I think that's what I will do. I do have another question. Would working on my kesa count as samu? I'm thinking it might not because samu traditionally would be communal work to keep the temple going like laundry and what not. There is plenty to do around my house (such as clean the storage room) sewing doesn't count.

Gassho
Hoseki
sattoday/lah

Sewing definitely counts... done in the right spirit... Stitch by stitch... I take refuge in the Buddha... I take refuge in the Dharma... I take refuge in the Sangha. [emoji120]

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Kyōsen]

My new (temp) job is taking a lot out of me but I'm looking forward to my first Rohatsu; I intend to do as much of it as I can over the weekend - maybe even all of it - but if I can't then I will complete it throughout the week. I'm grateful that I can listen to anything I like while I'm at work, so I've been listening to many hours of Dharma talks (among other fun things) so if I end up extending Rohatsu into next week then it will at least be supplemented by some Dharma talks

Gassho
Sen
Sat|LAH

[Hoseki]

Sewing definitely counts... done in the right spirit... Stitch by stitch... I take refuge in the Buddha... I take refuge in the Dharma... I take refuge in the Sangha. [emoji120]

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Neat. Thanks!

Gassho
Hoseki
Sattoday/lah


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Onka]

I'll be doing it all 'live' following the LA times listed but adapted to my timezone, mainly for reasons of medication times that I can't afford to mess with. My partner has graciously offered to spend the two days in silence allowing me to avoid the expected 43°C+ temperatures and fierce winds we're expecting by participating inside. We live in a single room dodgy dwelling so this gesture is pretty awesome. I was really anxious until today and now I'm excited to participate in my first Rohatsu retreat.
Gassho and deep bows to all who are participating in all ways they're able.
Anna
stlah

[Hensho]

I am also looking forward to this retreat and have taken a room so that I don't disturb the goings-on at my home--mostly my cat who can't stand when I close the door to my studio in order to sit zazen. Two days of zazen will drive him crazy. My husband, I'm not so worried about!

The biggest thing I learned last year was that it's painful to sit for so many hours. I believe it would have been okay to modify my position as the retreat progressed. Did I understand that correctly?

Gassho, Kate

Sat.lah

[Washin]

The biggest thing I learned last year was that it's painful to sit for so many hours. I believe it would have been okay to modify my position as the retreat progressed. Did I understand that correctly?

Gassho, Kate

Sat.lah

That sounds right, Kate.
Usually we try to endure the pain for as long as our body allows but when it intensifies to a certain level (you feel it!) it's okay to change the position or rise from the cushion and do a short kinhin during the sit or as the retreat goes on.

Gassho
Washin
sat today

[Shoki]

May I ask, what is recommended that someone does immediately following Rohatsu on each of the two days? Upon rising from the zafu after completion, does one immediately jump right back into the world of cell phones, tv, family, traffic, grocery shopping, children, computers, etc? Would that be a sensory overload? I don't think I'd be going right to sleep afterwards, so anything suggested? Thanks.

Gassho
stlah
James

[Horin]

Hi James. I'm not sure, but indeed I think, the world of family, cellphones, and all this stuff is just what is when we are in our daily life. So we should bring the zazen, the retreat into this busy world affairs. No need to draw a line in my opinion:-)
But these are my two cents

Gassho
Ben


Stlah


Enviado desde mi PLK-L01 mediante Tapatalk

[Meian]

facing some challenges with changing family schedules - holiday season with increased work schedules changing by the day - and i'm experiencing more health issues for now.

will participate as best i can live, and otherwise for the recorded sessions.

Gassho
Kim
Rt. Lh

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

[Shokai]

Libby; wonderful. Do what you can.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Kotei]

Hi James,
I can speak only for myself and don't know about an official recommendation.
I like to take it as a concentrated practice period from start to end. Maybe even more (preparing in advance and taking a walk through nature afterwards).
Imho there is nothing bad with taking it back into the busy life, but I benefit very much from a longer, more intense period without distractions from time to time.

I will be sitting most of the units life, but due to different time-zones the last ones from day 1, early on day 2.
Thankfully, the people around understand and are briefed.
Silence. No talking, no phone, tv, family, shopping, computers (when not Treeleaf).
Thoughtfully preparing meals and silently eating. Stretching. Reading Dharma-literature. Drinking tea. Playing flute. Taking a walk. Just be.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.