Dear All,
Shujin posted a thread from the great Koun Franz. I told Shujin that I disagree somewhat with aspects of what Koun has written there, so Shujin misunderstood that I was asking him to take it down. Sorry for the confusion. Below are the comments that folks had posted as a photo (that is all we can do to get them back), and the original essay link:
Here are my little criticisms of parts. Koun writes:
Koun is very influenced by certain corners of Japanese Zen that emphasize holding a posture with a straight, upright back, and to hold that posture. In fact, that is an excellent way to sit ... if one has a body and health condition which can allow it. One should not sag forward if one can avoid it, one should not be too rigid.
However, truly, Zen posture is not "one size fits all." You must know your own body and its abilities. Our rule of thumb around here is this: If you can find a way of sitting as your body requires, and it feels balanced, stable and comfortable in a way that let's you sit (or recline, even stand) for long periods, then that is a good posture for you. Try not to be someone who "figits" and excessively adjusts every few minutes, unless a medical condition truly requires you to do so. However, it is fine to adjust your posture now and then while sitting, changing if needed to another way that feels balanced, stable and comfortable.
For our folks at home, I recommend this book very much, and urge you to work with it to find the posture(s) right for you:
Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION
And if you have a health condition which requires, no need to "synchronize" with others in the Zendo. You do what your health condition and abilities require. You can synchronize and harmonize in your heart alone if the body requires you to move and go at your own speed.
And just one more little tiny picky quibble
: I am one of those Soto folks who say that "Zazen" is not really "meditation" at all. Meditation implies doing something to gain something, to bring something about. Shikantaza Zazen is such a radical dropping of all NEED to gain or bring about, that it is not "meditation." However (here's the trick) the treasure discovered always in hand by this radical dropping of such need --is-- a wondrous bringing about. 
Anyway, sorry for the confusion.
Gassho, Jundo
stlah
tsuku.jpg
Shujin posted a thread from the great Koun Franz. I told Shujin that I disagree somewhat with aspects of what Koun has written there, so Shujin misunderstood that I was asking him to take it down. Sorry for the confusion. Below are the comments that folks had posted as a photo (that is all we can do to get them back), and the original essay link:
Here are my little criticisms of parts. Koun writes:
Meditation posture defines all posture. However you sit in meditation, however you hold your body in that part of the practice, establishes the guideline for how you hold your body all the time. In the Zen tradition, that means a straighter-than-usual back and a kind of curiosity and alertness in the body, as if whatever is happening in front of you is really important (because it is). This is awareness of our relationship to the body. If your meditation practice requires a straight back, then holding a sutra back will require the same; eating will require the same; simply standing will require the same.
However, truly, Zen posture is not "one size fits all." You must know your own body and its abilities. Our rule of thumb around here is this: If you can find a way of sitting as your body requires, and it feels balanced, stable and comfortable in a way that let's you sit (or recline, even stand) for long periods, then that is a good posture for you. Try not to be someone who "figits" and excessively adjusts every few minutes, unless a medical condition truly requires you to do so. However, it is fine to adjust your posture now and then while sitting, changing if needed to another way that feels balanced, stable and comfortable.
For our folks at home, I recommend this book very much, and urge you to work with it to find the posture(s) right for you:
Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION
And if you have a health condition which requires, no need to "synchronize" with others in the Zendo. You do what your health condition and abilities require. You can synchronize and harmonize in your heart alone if the body requires you to move and go at your own speed.
And just one more little tiny picky quibble
: I am one of those Soto folks who say that "Zazen" is not really "meditation" at all. Meditation implies doing something to gain something, to bring something about. Shikantaza Zazen is such a radical dropping of all NEED to gain or bring about, that it is not "meditation." However (here's the trick) the treasure discovered always in hand by this radical dropping of such need --is-- a wondrous bringing about. Anyway, sorry for the confusion.
Gassho, Jundo
stlah
tsuku.jpg
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