Online sitting/zazenkai vs sitting along/in person

[k1982]

Ah, me too! I want a free coffee!

PM me with your shop's location, next time I come into Tokyo maybe I can stop in ...

Gassho, J

stlah

You got it!

Gassho,
kyle
stlah

[Guest]

A bit off topic, but it sounds like you are, in fact, looking for something there yet which is everywhere and all things. Like the eyeball looking for the eyeball, or peeling away the onion, looking for the origin of the onion scent, missing the onion all along the way until nothing is left, peeling away the "observed phenomena" until nothing is life that completely missing the onion's pungency which is everywhere and all around. Or perhaps you are someone standing in Times Square looking for "New York City"? Like that. Also, don't be so analytical about it, trying to stuff it into a fixed idea held between the ears of "source of the onion" or "the real New York City."

We Zen folks are not so much about looking for a "Watcher" or something like that, which is what you may be implying? Or some "source consciousness" or something like that? To do that is like clearing off the stage, firing the actors, chasing away the audience and knocking down the theatre building looking for the "True Source of the Drama."

Or looking at the seatbelts, the tires, the carburator, the glove box trying the find the "True Car," or stripping away the parts looking for the Car, thus missing the Car ... not to mention, more vitally, the Whole Flowing Road Trip!

Something like that.

Anyway, sorry, a bit off topic. Maybe I will make this another thread.

Gassho, J

stlah

Not off topic at all, an interesting point more than anything. If I ever succeed in not being analytical you'll be the first to know....

If I'm trying to do anything, which I clearly am, it is to get past the intellectual, deductive, analytical viewpoint, to a more bone deep recognition that this is the case, to 'be the onion', so to speak (quite a motto that).

It's not so much looking for the operator behind the curtain, a soul, or some other permanent centre of being located between my ears, as I'm pretty much convinced that there isn't one (believe me I spent long years looking), but to get comfortable with the lack of a permanent entity as a living reality rather than an abstract idea that I read about in books and provisionally assent to because it sounds like the truth.

What you indicate, the potential to miss New York city whilst in the midst of it, is understood in one sense, yet the habitual delusion persists, and knowing full well that I can't of myself do anything to change that, at least not in the short term, instead sitting zazen has become a silent testament to what I know to be true even though I miss it in the confusion.

Sattday

Dan

[Jundo]

If I'm trying to do anything, which I clearly am, it is to get past the intellectual, deductive, analytical viewpoint, to a more bone deep recognition that this is the case, to 'be the onion', so to speak (quite a motto that).

Don't try to "be the onion." Just smell/see the whole stinking onion, breath it in, peal and chop it up, fry it up for some things. toss it on a salad for others. Eat it on that salad, and it soon be you! No need to "be the onion."

Don't try to "be the car" or "be the trip" either. Just see the car, the road, the travel, you and the other passengers ... the whole thing going and flowing ... which is also all the parts as well as the whole .. and have a nice ride.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Do Mi]

Well, thank you!
I was referring to daily sits on the schedule, not just the zazenkai. Before I committed to the morning practice we have now, I made it a point to sit in the FSR ( Free Sitting Room found here : https://www.treeleaf.org/now/go.php?l=fsr ) as often as I could. You never know who might be there waiting for someone to sit with, or who might hop in and offer company. It’s quite lovely

[emoji1374] Sat Today

I love this, Bion. Is there a way to tell if there is someone there before hopping in? I sat there this evening!

Do Mi
satlah

[Bion]

I love this, Bion. Is there a way to tell if there is someone there before hopping in? I sat there this evening!

Do Mi
satlah

Unfortunately not, so, many times we might be alone in there, but we keep the room full for others by our being there [emoji1] [emoji1374]

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Nanrin]

My approach is that somedays it benefits me to be sitting with others, and some days it surely benefits others who might find encouragement or might feel at ease because of company or emotional support. Since I never know what day is for whom, I just offer myself to the sangha and choose to be there as often as I can, though some days I may not feel like setting up the computer.

Many times we might be alone in there, but we keep the room full for others by our being there

Very good advice, and the best argument for sitting in the FSR I've seen.

Gassho,

Emma

sat

[Houzan]

Sat in the FSR last night [emoji4]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[michaelw]

Do you have to choose?

I used to use the FSR but now prefer sitting alone with no distractions. I don’t use timers with bells just light some incense and sit.
Other than that, online with Treeleaf and zazoom with Zen Deshimaru (morning service) and physically with a distant Serene Reflection Temple once a month.

Gassho
MichaelW
sat

[Chikyou]

I have been a TreeLeaf member for about a year now and for the majority of that time, I've been faithfully sitting with the recorded Zazenkai on the weekends when I have more time. I rarely participate "live" in anything, though I should make an effort to do that more often. Sitting with the recording truly doesn't feel like a recording at all - nothing is missing.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Jundo]

I have been a TreeLeaf member for about a year now and for the majority of that time, I've been faithfully sitting with the recorded Zazenkai on the weekends when I have more time. I rarely participate "live" in anything, though I should make an effort to do that more often. Sitting with the recording truly doesn't feel like a recording at all - nothing is missing.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Tairin]

I have been a TreeLeaf member for about a year now and for the majority of that time, I've been faithfully sitting with the recorded Zazenkai on the weekends when I have more time. I rarely participate "live" in anything, though I should make an effort to do that more often. Sitting with the recording truly doesn't feel like a recording at all - nothing is missing.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Nothing wrong with sitting with a computer when one "feels up to it." Every day I check to see if I feel up to it, and, whaddya know, I generally do. The computer misses me sometimes, but it's very patient.

gassho

ds sat