I Don't Want to Sit.

[Hōkan]

Some days I really look forward to my time on the zafu; My curiosity is on high alert -- what will I discover today?

Other days I really don't want to sit. Maybe I can just lounge on the couch and veg out (or post to TreeLeaf).

Today is one of the other days.

Oh, well. I am off to the zafu anyway because I have become convinced that even listless zazen is somehow enough.



Sat today (if by "today" you will accept "within the past 24 hours").

[Kotei]

Zazen is beyond all that. Not about you and me, not about like and dislike.
I helps, telling me that on these days ;-)

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Seikan]

I used to struggle with similar feelings for years (and perhaps I will again). However, over the past few years, zazen has evolved from something that I "have to do" each day into something that simply happens each day because it does.

The practice of Shikantaza has certainly helped to reshape my attitude. When I used to practice vipassana or other more goal-oriented mediation practices, I would be more judgmental about the value of my time on/off the cushion. But now that I sit (or try to sit) without any conscious goal, zazen simply is as zazen does.

There are certainly still days where I may feel like I could use those 30-40 minutes to read more, talk with my family/friends, etc., but there is no longer any significant resistance/hesitation to sitting. When the time comes, zazen just happens.

Be patient with yourself. It may simply be a matter of time.

Gassho,
Seikan

-stlah-

(apologies for running a bit long)

[Kaishin]

Zazen is like entering your coffin--you do it whether you like it or not.

So sit thinking you have died.

--Sawaki Kodo Roshi

I keep this quote handy for those "other" times

-satToday

[Tai Shi]

Please limit posts to 2or 3 lines of positive comments and be loyal to our Zendo or people who aren’t happy? We can help!
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Jundo]

Please limit posts to 2or 3 lines of positive comments and be loyal to our Zendo or people who aren’t happy? We can help!
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

No loyalty or positive happy is required.

And the request for "2 or 3" lines is unless one truly has a heartfelt need to express more (mostly a medicine for our human tendency to wallow in ourselves and let the mental wheels run wild!)

Gassho, J

STLah

[Bion]

Some days I really look forward to my time on the zafu; My curiosity is on high alert -- what will I discover today?

Other days I really don't want to sit. Maybe I can just lounge on the couch and veg out (or post to TreeLeaf).

Today is one of the other days.

Oh, well. I am off to the zafu anyway because I have become convinced that even listless zazen is somehow enough.



Sat today (if by "today" you will accept "within the past 24 hours").

My friend, I’d worry more about the days you’re eager to get to the zafu [emoji1]
Here’s my two cents: zazen is like eating, or showering: no one forces us to do it, but we do these things cause we know they are normal, natural and beneficial, though at times we choose not to and it’s fine. I am sure eventually you will sit without the feeling of “have to” and without a sense of wanting to accomplish something. Don’t allow yourself to turn zazen into a chore! [emoji3526]

SatToday and used more words than I expected. My apologies! [emoji3526] [emoji1374]

[Tai Shi]

I’m like I’m sorry I am happy for you.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Yokai]

Some days are cloudy; others are sunny; last week it rained all week! And yet...(I'll leave it to Jundo to finish ).

"C'est la vie!"

Great comments everyone.

Gassho, Yokai sat/lah

[Heiso]

I get this all the time, the same with the gym, yoga, everything. The beauty of zazen is you just have to turn up, there's nothing to do but sit regardless of what your head is saying. I once read an interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury who said that the benefit of his daily prayerbook, the book of common prayer, is that he just has to open it and say the words regardless of how he feels, I guess it's the same with us.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

[Tai Shi]

The other part is that we treat people like we would like to be treated, and this is difficult. And all 16 of the precepts are undertaken for our entire lives. Then we will appreciate budhahood and friendship and wisdom.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Koushi]

Oh, well. I am off to the zafu anyway because I have become convinced that even listless zazen is somehow enough.

I believe it was Uchiyama that said, “The meaning of zazen must rest stably on the act of zazen itself.” Some days, I have zero motivation to walk to the zafu. It’s as if an iron chain is around my ankles and I would rather do anything else but just sit. But, as others have said, the showing-up and sitting anyway is key.

On these days, I try to remember Kodo Sawaki Roshi: “Zazen is not something a person will become better at as they get older. While you are practicing, that is zazen. So whether your practice is going well or poorly, you must always return to practice.”

Gassho,
Koushi
ST (trudging and slogging to the zafu)

[Suuko]

The power of Zazen is in the pureness of the act. We sit without wanting anything because the present moment is complete the way it is.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Lah,
Guish.

Sent from my PAR-LX1M using Tapatalk

[Myoku]

Often I dont want to sit and sometimes I skip. Life is just so shiny, inviting, things so tempting, me so lazy. Its a life long journey, even to the simple act of sitting with no agenda. At least for me. You are not alone
Gassho
Myoku
sat

[Tai Shi]

Koushi there is no need to justify your actions on this Forum with a long rambling comment disregarding precepts. We are all together.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro