ATTENTION! Our 2023 "AT HOME" 2-DAY ROHATSU RETREAT - PREPARATORY LESSONS

[Do Mi]

Hello,
before or after Oryoki or Samu units, I usually prepare or clean up slowly and silently. There is always something to do.
If I don't feel the need to lie down for a moment to stretch my back, I try to move a bit - going for a silent walk, offering the body something that is not still sitting.
But all in a calm way, not searching for distraction.
When there is boredom, I am approaching it as I do with thoughts during Zazen.
Watching boredom, no need to make it go away. It will do so on its own and the rest periods are not that long, anyways.

That is just what I am doing. Others might feel different about it.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

Thank you Kotei, this is very helpful. Really, just proceeding with trust.

Have a wonderful rohatsu, everyone!


Gassho,

Do Mi
sat and lah

[Kaitan]

Can I use a bigger envelope (~30x15cm)? I can't find letter size one

Gasshō

stlah

Bernal

[Kotei]

Now I have another question. During sesshins, I have found myself not knowing what to do during rest periods, if I'm not either taking a little nap or going for a walk. It's a good challenge for me, because I have a fear of boredom! Without reading, writing, making music, talking, I find myself just feeling like I should do more zazen! How do others navigate this?
h

Hello,
before or after Oryoki or Samu units, I usually prepare or clean up slowly and silently. There is always something to do.
If I don't feel the need to lie down for a moment to stretch my back, I try to move a bit - going for a silent walk, offering the body something that is not still sitting.
But all in a calm way, not searching for distraction.
When there is boredom, I am approaching it as I do with thoughts during Zazen.
Watching boredom, no need to make it go away. It will do so on its own and the rest periods are not that long, anyways.

That is just what I am doing. Others might feel different about it.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Do Mi]

For us, here in Europe, the last 2 or 3 units of every day are a bit too late, so folks choose to sleep and sit with them during our morning, then continue with normal schedule. Others need to divide the whole sesshin in smaller bits and sit with them during weeks in a row. It is precisely why we stream and record everything, so definitely nothing strange about adapting the schedule to your life’s needs.

gassho
sat and lah

Thank you Bion!

Now I have another question. During sesshins, I have found myself not knowing what to do during rest periods, if I'm not either taking a little nap or going for a walk. It's a good challenge for me, because I have a fear of boredom! Without reading, writing, making music, talking, I find myself just feeling like I should do more zazen! How do others navigate this?

Gassho,

Do Mi (probably overthinking)
sat and lah

[Bion]

ATTENTION! Our 2023 "AT HOME" 2-DAY ROHATSU RETREAT - PREPARATORY LESSONS

Here's a schedule question. On both days I will be starting with the third or possibly the second period, and catching up those first one or two periods after the end of the scheduled day. This means, though, that on the second day I'll be doing some practice (long service and zazen, maybe oryoki and samu) after the retreat closing. A little strange? Okay? Any ideas?

(I'm very grateful to be able to adjust in this way to adapt to my sleep schedule.)

Gassho,

Do Mi
sat and lah

For us, here in Europe, the last 2 or 3 units of every day are a bit too late, so folks choose to sleep and sit with them during our morning, then continue with normal schedule. Others need to divide the whole sesshin in smaller bits and sit with them during weeks in a row. It is precisely why we stream and record everything, so definitely nothing strange about adapting the schedule to your life’s needs.

gassho
sat and lah

[Do Mi]

Here's a schedule question. On both days I will be starting with the third or possibly the second period, and catching up those first one or two periods after the end of the scheduled day. This means, though, that on the second day I'll be doing some practice (long service and zazen, maybe oryoki and samu) after the retreat closing. A little strange? Okay? Any ideas?

(I'm very grateful to be able to adjust in this way to adapt to my sleep schedule.)

Gassho,

Do Mi
sat and lah

[Chikyou]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqvtJIHKLyA

I love this video!

Gathered my Oryoki kit today.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Hoseki]

Thank you!

Gassho,

Hoseki

Sattoday/lah


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[Jundo]

Hi Jundo,

I'm sewing a OKesa. Would it be too much to work on that during breaks?

Gassho,

Hoseki
Sattoday/lah

Yes, very good.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Bion]

Hi Jundo,

I'm sewing a OKesa. Would it be too much to work on that during breaks?

Gassho,

Hoseki
Sattoday/lah

That will be my Samu also, as most units are during night time for me [emoji1]

Gassho
Sat and lah

[Hoseki]

Hi Jundo,

I'm sewing a OKesa. Would it be too much to work on that during breaks?

Gassho,

Hoseki
Sattoday/lah

[Jundo]

I am looking forward to this!
As I assume it’s important to do the retreat in one go, I won’t be able to join you live.
Will join you in the timeless dimension [emoji120]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

Some folks break it into bits because of health, work or family responsibilities. That is fine, and to do as much as somebody can, if they cannot do the whole thing ... or cannot do the whole thing at one go.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Jundo]

I am very much looking forward to this year's Rohatsu.

A question, is it considered inappropriate to write about my experiences/the dharma talks in my practice journal during rest periods? I remember last year how brilliant and insightful the Dharma talks were, how much they meant to me...and I don't remember what any of them were about. I would very much like to look back on my experiences of Rohatsu in the future.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

Hmmm. I think it okay, if done lightly.

Likewise, we tend to put down the reading material during Retreat, but a few pages of reading a Zen book here and there are not terrible.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Houzan]

I am looking forward to this!
As I assume it’s important to do the retreat in one go, I won’t be able to join you live.
Will join you in the timeless dimension [emoji120]

Gassho, Michael
Satlah

[Chikyou]

I am very much looking forward to this year's Rohatsu.

A question, is it considered inappropriate to write about my experiences/the dharma talks in my practice journal during rest periods? I remember last year how brilliant and insightful the Dharma talks were, how much they meant to me...and I don't remember what any of them were about. I would very much like to look back on my experiences of Rohatsu in the future.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly