Colonoscopy Zazen, A Recommended Treeleaf Practice

[Jundo]

Dear All,

This morning, my Zazen 'sitting' was on the doctor's table during my once every 3-year colonoscopy. Below is an incredible recreation (except that was not my actual posture, and that's not my actual doctor). Medical tests and procedures, or simply the doctor's waiting room, are some of the most powerful places for Zazen! I recommend it of everyone!

But my other reason for writing is that I also strongly recommend to everyone, especially those of us of a certain age, to get your colonoscopy, endoscopy and such. Five years ago, such a test saved my life when they found my cancer early enough to act. A few months later, and I would have been on to the next life ... DON'T PUT IT OFF!

By the way, they don't put you to sleep during the procedure here in "samurai spirit, bow and bear it" Japan, like they often do in the ol' "knock me out" USA back home, so Zazen is the only anesthesia! It is a pain in the butt (literally), but enlightening where the sun don't shine!

'Birth and Death are the Great Matter,' and in Zazen one learns to fully leap beyond 'Birth and Death' ... DEATH is nothing to fear!!

... And yet, no reason to rush things!

Gassho, Jundo
Sat Today LAH

colonoscopy zazen.jpg

[Tomás ESP]

Thank you Jundo for enouraging these procedures, it can indeed save many lives. I've gotten both several times despite my young age due to chronic illness (in fact, I was diagnosed thanks to these interventions). In my case I was put to sleep, although it wasn't with full anesthesia, so it wasn't bad at all. Hope your results are fine

Gassho, Tomás
Sat

[Tairin]

Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Kotei]

I was so successful in repressing this...
I am going to make an appointment.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Naiko]

Eek, I’ve had the partial without drugs (sigmoidoscopy) but not the big one. My doc doesn’t give me a choice; I get knocked out. I think it’s more for his convenience, honestly, he can just get it done without anyone complaining and he can bill more for the procedure. It’s pretty cool when you think about it though, being able to see inside the body and take biopsies with just a bit temporary discomfort. Glad you’re ok, Jundo!
Gassho,
Naiko
st

[Dogukan]

Thank you Jundo! I can adapt your recommendation to my long-neglected and considerably postponed dentist appointment.

I hope your results are perfect. In the photo, it looks like there's no problem at all

Gassho,
Doğukan.
Sat.

[Suuko]

I'm glad that you're fine, Jundo.

Gassho,
Sat,
Suuko.

Sent from my M2101K7BNY using Tapatalk

[Kyonin]

I'm glad you are fine Jundo.

Yes, sitting Zazen in the hospital is powerful. You see your fears and tons of mental comments all around... but then there's peace.

Gassho,

Kyonin

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

Eek, I’ve had the partial without drugs (sigmoidoscopy) but not the big one. My doc doesn’t give me a choice; I get knocked out. I think it’s more for his convenience, honestly, he can just get it done without anyone complaining and he can bill more for the procedure. It’s pretty cool when you think about it though, being able to see inside the body and take biopsies with just a bit temporary discomfort. Glad you’re ok, Jundo!
Gassho,
Naiko
st

I often tell the following story, because the doctor/patient comment also explains a lot about the Zen teacher/student difference between Zen in Japan and Zen in the west:

I have asked several Japanese doctors/dentists about the difference between their Japanese patients and their western, especially American and some European patients. They said that there are basically 3 differences:

1 - The westerners ask questions much more, while the Japanese tend just to listen quietly and do what is asked. (So many Zen groups here in Japan, nobody asks any questions, and the same for college classes and such that I have taught.)

2 - The westerners tend to bring in articles from the internet and tell the doctor what the diagnosis is, and argue with him about why he is wrong.

3 - The westerners tend to scream more at the slightest pain, even before the procedure starts.

It is my experience too, here in our little Treeleaf clinic. Ah, those Japanese Zen teachers have it so easy!

I was also asked how the doctor managed the insertion in the photo above. The answer is that, using my amazing Zen master powers, I simply levitated above the table a foot in the air.

In fact, the actual posture was surprisingly close to a Half Lotus, but laying on my side.

It is actually not so bad, just weird feeling, especially when he turns tight corners. You feel like a house with bad pipes after the plumber is called!



Yes, thank you for asking, I passed the test. I will be around for awhile, assuming I do not get hit by a bus or struck by falling space junk, etc. in the meantime.

Gassho, J

STLah

[houst0n]

Yes, thank you for asking, I passed the test. I will be around for awhile, assuming I do not get hit by a bus or struck by falling space junk, etc. in the meantime.

Gassho, J

STLah

So happy Jundo, this is great. We depend (or simply wish) on you to stick around for a little while longer please :}

Gassho,
./sat
Neil

[Jakuden]

Since we get knocked out here, the procedure itself is not so bad... but the prep is horrible. I can't walk past yellow Gatorade in the supermarket without a little nausea. Glad all is well with you!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Onkai]

So glad they found you to be healthy, Jundo.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[Doshin]

Glad for the good report!

I woke up during one and started asking questions…

Doshin
St

[Shokai]

Good to hear your prognosis. However, I wonder at the grimace on your face, It must have been at one of those sharp corners

I gave in to my Family Doctor's pleading about fifteen years ago and went for a colonoscopy. Everything was fine, the specialist only complained that the tract wasn't completely clean. I reminded him that it was he that prescribed the medication and procedure. Five years later my family doctor referred me for another scope. So, I went back to the same specialist and he says, "How long do you intend to do this." I replied, "What 'this' are you referring to. He says, "Well, we generally don't do scopes after age 75 unless there are definite symptoms." I said, " thank you very much for reminding me how old I am, I'm guessing we're finished." He says,"Yes, we are." I got up off the table and left his office and haven't seen him since. Thanks to Buddha, my cancers are all skin related so it doesn't entail any of that poking around inside stuff.

Gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Anchi]

I'm glad you are fine Jundo.

Gassho,