Best times to sit zazen

[Tsuru]

When do you all prefer to sit? I make a point of sitting early morning (between 5 and 6 am) to start the day before my little one wakes up, but I always find my second sit (early afternoon) to be much more successful.

I’m curious how others experience this, and if there’s considered a ‘best’ time for those of us who have limited opportunities.

Gassho,
Jonathan
St



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[Chishou]

Now.

[emoji1317][emoji254]


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[Tsuru]

Now.

[emoji1317][emoji254]


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Good answer!

Gassho


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[Jishin]

Never!

Gassho, Jishin, __/stlah\__

[Bokugan]

My work schedule fluctuates, so for me it partially comes down to the best practical time (ie I can often do a full half hour sit in the mornings, which I prefer -- evenings can be tough due to household stuff).

However, beyond this, I do feel like it is a little different for me in the morning versus at the end of my day. I understand that there is no "bad" zazen, but evenings can be more challenging because I have a harder time coming back to the mirror mind concept/state. Work can be stressful, I'm applying for grad school, trying to sell our home... all of these things will bubble up more in the evenings for me. That said, perhaps this means it is the perfect time!

So, yeah -- I agree with Jishin and Chishou

[Tai Do]

I'm still trying to find a fixed time for my sittigns. I loved to sit early in the morning, but since I started to work at night, I ended up getting up not so early any more. But any time we sit is the best time for zazen, I think.
Gassho,
Mateus
Sat today

[Jundo]

l would say that any time is the right time (and right timeless too).

Better if one is not falling asleep if one can avoid that, but otherwise any place is the right place too (and right placeless).

Besides a time for sitting each day, also do not forget our little Anywhere, Anytime INSTA-ZAZEN!© many times and places for a moment in life too ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14883-Sit-a-Long-with-Jundo-Zazen-for-Beginners-%2813%29

There are many times to sit Zazen, and everyone's life and life rhythms will always be a little different. Just remember that, when sitting, we forget all about "right time and place" and just sit timelessly where we are, no before or after, better or worse, nor any other place in the world.

Gassho, J

STlah

[Washin]

I try to always start the day with sitting with a Sangha. Sometimes I have a midday sit or one in the evening.
Morning zazen works well for me as my mind is more at peace though I find each sitting as whole and complete.
Also, as Jundo pointed here, I often go for Insta-zazen when in the hustle and bustle of daily life. I like it.

Gassho
Washin
st/lah

[Jishin]

I would say best time for sitting is attachment to both sitting and best. Sitting is sitting which transcends best and sitting. So just sit and that’s all. I think Jundo made this point above but some have not heard it.

Gassho, Jishin, __/stlah\__

[Shoki]

I vote for early morning. Although sometimes I'll wait til mid-morning. And then early evening after everything around the house calms down for the day.

Gassho
STlah
James

[Jundo]

I would say best time for sitting is attachment to both sitting and best. Sitting is sitting which transcends best and sitting. So just sit and that’s all. I think Jundo made this point above but some have not heard it.

Gassho, Jishin, __/stlah\__

[Yokai]

I'd be interested in your thoughts on what's a healthy daily sitting/study mix? Is there an existing thread? I've been majoring on sitting so far and find attending daily SSR and FSR slots really great for establishing a routine...now there's more SSR slots, if I miss the bus I just catch the next one!

Gassho, Chris -sat/lah

[Jundo]

I'd be interested in your thoughts on what's a healthy daily sitting/study mix? Is there an existing thread? I've been majoring on sitting so far and find attending daily SSR and FSR slots really great for establishing a routine...now there's more SSR slots, if I miss the bus I just catch the next one!

Gassho, Chris -sat/lah

I don't think that there is a right "mix," but I would say that neither should be neglected.

Sit daily. In my book, the time length of sitting is not anywhere near as important as forgetting about measures of time, before or after, during sitting. When sitting, there is no long or short, before or after. Thus, sometimes we sit long and sometimes we sit short. Sometimes we "sit" in a slow moving postal line or lying on a doctors' examination table too. Do what feels right in your life, but do not neglect sitting either.

In our "way beyond words and letters," most of the old monks read the books before burning them (then reconstituted the ashes and read them again). Zen Practice without some homework and understanding can be too directionless and misunderstood. The key is not to get caught in words and philosophizing, and to bring this practice to life. So, I would say always be reading at least one Zen book if you can, even if slowly and with other things to read or do.

We have a few threads on "How to Read Zen Books," by the way, because they come in many flavors. It can sometimes be confusing to newer folks why different writers and books on "Zen/Buddhism" seem to be coming at things different ways:

Special reading - once born twice born zen (parts not 1 not 2):

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6514-Special-reading-once-born-twice-born-zen-%28part-not-1%29

and

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6539-Special-reading-once-born-twice-born-zen-%28part-not-2%29

Also: eight types of enlightenment

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6567-Special-reading-eight-types-of-enlightenment

That should keep you busy reading for awhile!

Gassho, J

STLah

[Yokai]

Thank you Jundo, this is really helpful.

Quality of sitting/study seems key: "...time length of sitting is not anywhere near as important as forgetting about measures of time" and "The key is not to get caught in words and philosophizing, and to bring this practice to life."
It's easy to fall in these traps, particularly newbies like me!

Gassho, Chris satlah

[Kyotai]

With 3 kids and a busy life.

“Formally” once a day whenever I can fit it in

”unofficially” when I am elbows deep in diapers, at the doctors, in the kitchen, at work, the dojo and the bathroom, everywhere else too

Gassho Kyotai
ST unofficially