save the zen hall!

[Undo]

Re: save the zen hall!

Hello Dave

and thanks for the explanation. I understand the schedule will update to a local time. I find the problem occurs if we want to arrange to sit. If you and I wanted to sit and I said I'm free at 15:00 CET today, you might not know what time that is unless I book it in the schedule. Once booked it can't be cancelled. If you say can we make it an our later we will have to book twice. If at the beginning I said are you free at 15:00 UTC you will know what time that if locally without the schedule.
For other sittings for special occasions, a list of different times zones has to be given and we work out our local time from there. If we used one time zone we will quickly just know the conversion to our local time zone.

I hope that is clearer, I think it's time to sit now

[roky]

Re: save the zen hall!

undo -- i understand what you're saying - utc is the language to use when people in very different time zones want to set up a sit together -- if you and i, for instance, want to set up a joint sit, we would better do it using utc

happy sit, roky

[Jundo]

Re: save the zen hall!

While sitting does one position one's eyes so that one observes others also sitting?

No no no. We sit, with eyes half (or 1/3 or 2/3) open, normally focused, but seeing everything and nothing in particular (meaning, not thinking about what we are seeing.)...**

HOWEVER, our eyes should be fixed (looking slightly downward about 30 degrees) on the wall in front of us (if facing the wall), on the blank floor a few feet in front of us (also looking downward about 30 or 60 degrees) if facing into the room.

The purposes of the Zen Hall may be to know that people are there, for those who wish that. But then, drop the people from mind ... and everybody and everything in the world too from mind.

When I attend a Zazen sitting in a bricks and mortar building, I am not thinking or looking at even the fellow sitting next to me ... even as I may be aware of his/her presence on some level. Whether I see the person out of the corner of my eye, or do not see her, should make no difference.

So, NO, do not intentionally position yourself to observe the others. See the wall or the floor, then even forget about that.

Gassho, Jundo

** Meaning, you may have a "table" in your field of vision, but do not get tangled in thought about it. Do not say "I am looking at a table, nice table, I really must buy a new table cloth, then I can invite my friend for dinner, I like my friend, I wonder what he wants for dinner, etc. etc. etc. "

[Jundo]

Re: save the zen hall!

Back when you're talks and sits were fully recorded I would turn away when you rang the bell.

Actually, I turn away from me too when the bell rings ... or perhaps I might say that I would take "the backward step that turns the light and shines it inward" (a little Fukanzazengi reference there, although actually a description of "silent illumination" used in China long before that)

But what do you mean "Back when you're talks and sits were fully recorded"? Last I checked, I still sit online. :wink: (You mean before Youtube put the 10 minute time limit on the length of the video?)

http://blog.beliefnet.com/treeleafzen/

Gassho, Jundo

[Dosho]

Re: save the zen hall!

Hi all,

I was thinking about the zen hall today and realized that one reason I often don't sit on camera is that, as a bit of a hyperactive fellow, I can move around on occasion. I figured this might be distracting, even if someone has their screen visible using only their peripheral vision. In most cases I settle down after about 5 minutes or so but every so often I'm a bit mobile and attempting to stay still just has the opposite effect. If no one would find this annoying I'd be happy to sit more with the camera on as well as putting it further away from me to minimize any distraction.

Let me know as I'd like to sit with folks, but didn't want to do anything that would be detrimental to others' sitting.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Shohei]

Re: save the zen hall!

In the zen hall I sit facing the wall my computer behind me. Sound is off ( and I hope the mic is too ! If not all apologies for my nose whistle, clearing my throat, baby cries, cat calls and the tv blaring) so in my case Dosho, you coul dance a jig and I'd be none the wiser

I sit this way in the zen hall after thinking it through some I figured it wasn't nessacary for me to have added Anticipation of a distraction of some sort & no one needs to see this mug.

retreats and stuff with more going on I play follow the leader and so I position the computer just off to the side and infrontso that with a quick glance I can see any movement if need be.

Gassho, Shohei

ps- won't make Wednesdays 2 hr sit only inet here is 2 bars of edge cellular network and this iPhone.

[will]

Re: save the zen hall!

Ron/Shugen

For me, the zen-hall helps to motivate me and to inspire me.

This is a good point. The Zazen Hall is contractual. It helps. It pushes you to sit just a little more when you really want to move or get up. Sitting through all the crap is the point.

Gassho

Will

[Shonin]

Re: save the zen hall!

LOL Dosho, I twitch like a crackhead when I sit. So I understand. Thus far noone has pm'ed me complaints LOL. But it seems most folks sit not facing their comp.

Dave

[will]

Re: save the zen hall!

But it seems most folks sit not facing their comp.

I might switch that up.

Gassho

W

[disastermouse]

Re: save the zen hall!

LOL Dosho, I twitch like a crackhead when I sit. So I understand. Thus far noone has pm'ed me complaints LOL. But it seems most folks sit not facing their comp.

Dave

It's odd that you say this. I never used to twitch, but now, especially with my eyes (around my eyes, not my actual eyes..), I'm constantly blinking and stretching my face now when I sit.

Why would anyone complain? Do your best and be conscientious. No one can ask more than this.

Now that I know the halls work, I may start using them! Hope to see you all there. It would also be nice to talk with you 'face to face' in the meeting hall.

Gassho.

Chet

[roky]

Re: save the zen hall!

well, mebeam worked fine this morning, with ron and dave, but i couldn't get on at all last nite with will -- i suspect it was the local server

gassho, roky

[Al]

Re: save the zen hall!

I tried to use the Zen Hall today and got kicked out every few minutes or so. Does anyone else experience this issue?

[Shohei]

Re: save the zen hall!

Hi Shinkai
that happens if you enter the hall alone if you open a second browser windo or tab also to the hall it won't kick you. Think it's covered in the FAQs.

Gassho, Shohei

[roky]

Re: save the zen hall!

shinkai - yup, as dirk said, 90 seconds and you're out, unless you open another window, or someone else is also sitting with you

i've been sitting in the big zen hall called lake ontario for the last 2 days, in my sail boat -- big water

gassho, bob/roky

[Shonin]

Re: save the zen hall!

Did ya get your probs worked out , Bob? I was in what can only be described as a nightmarish PC hell from last thurs-mon so I empathize completely.

Dave