When it is hard to sit zazen

[Mokuso]

When it is hard to sit zazen.

Sitting zazen is not always easy. Every zazen is the first I believe. But the times I feel that it is really hard, I think "this is my last zazen in this life." Sit respectfully with body and mind" . Then the zazen immediately feels much better and easier.

What are your tricks?

Gassho. Mokuso

[Ryumon]

Don’t judge. Whether it’s hard or easy, it’s the same. With the exception of physical pain when sitting, zazen is always different, sometimes it’s like a struggle, other times it’s like flowing water, but that’s just our reaction to the weather of our mind. Give up trying to decide if it’s hard or easy, and it won’t matter.

Gassho,
Ryūmon (Kirk)
Sat

[Mokuso]

For me is all kind of zazen is good zazen.
Gassho. Mokuso

[Jundo]

For me is all kind of zazen is good zazen.

Be sure to sign your name and "SatToday," Mokuso.

Gassho, Jundo

satTodayLAH

[Guest]

Not sure if there are tricks so to speak, but I tend to take to the cushion and say, "and now this." In that statement there is a wide open space that allows for anything that shows up to show up just as it is. There seems to be an internal jikido and monitor always observing and maintaining the direction of shikantaza.

Gassho,

Daiman
SatToday

[Meian]

When it is hard to sit zazen. Sitting zazen is not always easy. Every zazen is the first I believe. But the times I feel that it is really hard, I think "this is my last zazen in this life." Sit respectfully with body and mind" . Then the zazen immediately feels much better and easier. What are your tricks?

Hi Mokuso,

I don't know that this is a "trick" so much as an "easing in" or modifying my practice to make it possible for me to sit. Like many others here, I modify most of what I do to accomodate my disabilities.

For various reasons, I am not able to sit zazen for 30 minutes. Sometimes even 10 or 15 minutes is problematic for me - I have discussed why previously.

I've also mentioned a few times before that I make generous use of insta-zazen, which I sit for a couple minutes at a time (and repeat when I can). My insta-zazen sessions are often untimed, but sometimes I set a timer to make sure I don't accidentally fall asleep. However, as Jundo has mentioned many times, it's not the accumulation of time that is important. Just sitting - for however long or short - is essential. (I hope that I am paraphrasing that correctly - Jundo I request your correction if I am wrong. )

So, I guess those are my "tricks" for when zazen is difficult for me. I have also found that doing a little deep breathing helps to settle mind and body, as does box-breathing.

Ultimately, just sitting is just that -- sitting, being still with ourselves, and letting fall away and float by all constructs, myriad rules, expectations .... and observing the millions of thoughts and feelings bombarding our minds each minute, but not grabbing or following them down the rabbit hole. The thoughts and feelings are there, but they are not us.

Thank you for sharing your practice with us.

Just sit.

stlh

[Bion]

For me, it all has to do with the idea I have of zazen and how I approach it. I don’t look at zazen as just formal sitting ( timed, zafu, wall, bows) That in my eyes takes away from the possibilities every day offers for sitting and makes zazen small... Zazen is like sleeping, or eating, or even breathing in my eyes. Sometimes I am tired and fall asleep easily, sometimes I resist falling asleep, sometimes sleep is sound, sometimes I eat fast, other times I take my time, make various dishes, lay out a table and invite friends, sometimes I breathe deeply and easily, other times I have to make an effort because my nose is stuffy or I am tired from effort. Same with zazen.. Once a day I prostrate, get on my knees, recite kesa verse, wrap myself in the the robe and then sit, at other times I will sit on the bus while traveling, I will sit in a park, on the side of my bed, on the couch wrapped up in blankets, for 50 minutes, 30 and sometimes for 5. But if zazen in one form is not available, I don’t dismiss the other opportunities. I don’t judge the zazen because I expect nothing from it. Zazen sits itself and whatever happens during it, for however long, it is part of that zazen. This way, I can’t find a justification ever for not sitting every day, nor do I have a need to do so. No tips here, just sharing my experience..

I apologize for running so very long

[emoji1374] Sat Today lah

[michaelw]

Not sure if this answers your question but when there are times when my mind is whirring and I cant concentrate I just sit and try to be in the calm centre of the storm. The observer. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. What you get is what you get don't fight it.
As an aid for these times I sometimes use a meditation timer app that I can set up with single bell at five or ten minute intervals just to bring me back in case I have wandered off so I can start again. Breath in breath out.

Gassho
MichaelW

sat

[Doshin]

Perseverance. I start again, then again, then again and then end with the bell

Doshin
St

[Guest]

Thought I would share this quote from Shunryu Suzuki. It always helps me in my practice.
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Gassho,
Daiman
SatToday

[Ankai]

Not sure if there are tricks so to speak, but I tend to take to the cushion and say, "and now this."y

LOL I read this and flashed on the old Monty Python segue, "And now, for something... completely different."
-which is, actually, quite appropriate.
(Although there's a chance that it'll pop into my head on the cushion now, in the voice of John Cleese...)


Sat today.

[Shujin]

Sometimes what brings to the mat is a remembrance that this is the only time I have to sit zazen. I don't know if there will be a future, and I can't travel to the past. That said, I try not to be self-absorbed and overly serious about it all. I think Ryumon's post explained better than I could.

Gassho,
Shujin

st

[Nengei]

When I am sitting, and have difficulty with zazen, I remember this is it. This is the time. This moment exists for zazen. Eventually, the bell will ring (or I will keel over) and then there will be no more chance to be One.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

[Guest]

Ah yes, Roshi Cleese. This is a good teaching!

Gassho,

Daiman
SatToday

[Guest]

LOL I read this and flashed on the old Monty Python segue, "And now, for something... completely different."
-which is, actually, quite appropriate.
(Although there's a chance that it'll pop into my head on the cushion now, in the voice of John Cleese...)


Sat today.

Ah yes, Roshi Cleese. This is a good teaching!

Gassho,

Daiman
SatToday