Muho on Pain

[Shoki]

One advantage, if you can call it that, to having two different chronic pain conditions, is that, while I may have some pain during zazen, I also have pain driving a car, cooking, playing the ukulele, walking, sleeping and putting my shoes on. So pain during zazen doesn't really matter that much.

Muho's video reminds me a bit of Toni Bernhard's book, How To Be Sick, which we covered a while back, where the thing is this attitude of fight, fight, fight and claim some victory against pain and illness may not be the best approach.

The only time pain during zazen became a bit of an issue was during the final hours of Rohatsu where, during the breaks and video talks, I'd lie down, legs elevated with an ice pack on my lower back. (I hope that wasn't cheating!).

Gassho
st-lah
Shoki

[Jundo]

The only time pain during zazen became a bit of an issue was during the final hours of Rohatsu where, during the breaks and video talks, I'd lie down, legs elevated with an ice pack on my lower back. (I hope that wasn't cheating!).

No, not cheating, and you could have reclined or stood up even before getting into the situation. If one has non-gaining mind, posture is not vital.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Onkai]

Thank you, Jundo and Bion, for the video. I'm glad for that perspective. There are going to be things out of control and a practice that allows for that is going to be helpful.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[Jundo]

No, not cheating, and you could have reclined or stood up even before getting into the situation. If one has non-gaining mind, posture is not vital.

Gassho, J

STLah

Actually, this is where I disagree a bit with Muho and many in Japan who are into very "correct" posture, especially emphasizing Lotus postures.

I believe that a balanced, stable, comfortable posture facilitates a balanced, stable, calm mind ... but it is not strictly the key to that, nor "one size fits all." Yes, body and mind are connected, so that balance and stability in posture aids balance and stability in mind.

The Lotus Posture is wonderful, for those who can manage (without long term knee damage), and I sit Full Lotus once a month or so, but mostly Half Lotus or Burmese now ... but there are many postures, suited to different bodies, which are balanced, stable, comfortable. That is why we very regularly recommend this book around here:

Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION

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

Find the postures right for you, and sometimes they evolve with time or even during a single day ...

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shoki]

Thanks for the response, Jundo as I was going to ask about your stance on posture vs. other teachers who are more adamant about it.

As for personal experience, I badly sprained my ankle playing basketball many years ago and I had to switch from usual half-lotus to Seiza for about a year.

When I went back to half-lotus again, I really saw no difference in my practice changing postures and then going back again.


Gassho
STLAH
Shoki