Don't meditate, just sit.

[Taylor]

A thought from one of the successors of Joko Beck. How often do we sit down to zazen and begin "meditating"? The word carries a heavy burden of stigma and expectations. Instead of meditating, just sit. Sit sit sit sit sit.

Nothing special.

[Shohei]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Indeed!! if you do not mind I will toss in an extra
Just sit,
and that everything is sacred and very special!!

Thank you for this very timely reminder Myoken!


Gassho
Shohei

[Taigu]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Thank you Myoken, meditation is extra.
That lineage of simplicity to which we belong has a taste of fresh water, deep woods and nice clouds crusing along.
Meditation is something for spiritual VIPs and inspired egos.
All we do is to sit anywhere like fools and cats.
It sounds simple and very childish and we all know that nothing can be more difficult.

gassho


Taigu

[murasaki]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Deep gassho for that.

Julia

[Rimon]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Meow!

Rimon

[Kyonin]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Thank you Myoken.

I some times forget to see things in a more simple way, just for what they are.

All we do is to sit anywhere like fools and cats.

Taigu: I was just thinking about that yesterday. A cat just sits wherever it wants for hours if it wants to. Why can't I do that too? A lot of lessons from Tesla, my cat.

[Adrian]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Thanks Taylor and all who've commented.
I've just finished reading William Irvine's "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy". Irvine came to Stoicism through Zen. Although he sees many similarities between the Stoics and Zen, he says that he couldn't come to grips with just sitting and "emptying the mind". He likes the analytical side of Stoic spiritual exercises better.
Well, I think Stoicism is admirable, but I'd have to say that, at the end of a day occupied largely in analysis, I find "just sitting" the very thing I want and need to do.
Horses for courses, perhaps.

[Hans]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Hello,

thanks for the wonderful cat picture. I'll have to upload some of my recent "portrait" photographs soonish.

I might pose as a 33 year old male Unsui, but truly, when the night falls, I am the secret super hero called "mad cat lady!!".



[/quote]


Gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

This is a great thread!
Gassho

[Jiken]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

From Fukanzazengi

Think of not thinking. Not thinking: What kind of thinking is that? Letting thoughts go (Nonthinking). This is the essential art of zazen. ??Zazen is not a meditation technique. It is simply the Dharma gate of joyful ease, it is practicing the realization of the boundless Dharma way. Here, the open mystery manifests, and there are no more traps and snares for you to get caught in.??If you grasp the point, you are like a dragon gaining the water, like a tiger taking to the mountains. For you must know that the true Dharma appears of itself, so that from the start dullness and distraction are struck aside.?

[Risho]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Gassho everyone!

Tesla the cat. I love that

Edit:
At first when I read thsi post, I didn't know what to write. I usually say meditate, but now I'm going to say Just Sit and mean it. After Taigu's response about just sitting like cats and fools, that hammered it home.

Sitting like a fool,
Is the true way to sit,
Meditating to get it,
is the way of a fool.

Ok, I know I'm no poet. lol Just was inspired by everyone :mrgreen:

Gassho,

Risho

[disastermouse]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Thank you Myoken.

I some times forget to see things in a more simple way, just for what they are.

All we do is to sit anywhere like fools and cats.

Taigu: I was just thinking about that yesterday. A cat just sits wherever it wants for hours if it wants to. Why can't I do that too? A lot of lessons from Tesla, my cat.

You're cat's name is Tesla? That's pretty friggin' awesome. /threadjack

Chet

[Shokai]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

thank you Myoken and Choco, somewhere in our house we have a sign that says, "If you want the best seat in the house, move the cat!"

[Kaishin]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

I think meditation is great and has it's time and place.

But yes, zazen is not meditation. Just you sitting zazen, and zazen sitting you... zazen sitting zazen... zazen... poof!

[Kyonin]

Re: Don't meditate, just sit.

Thanks, guys! Her name is Tesla because here we are huge fans of science. So naming the cat after our favorite mad scientist was a no-brainer.

And yes, I love the way cats just sit for hours. Sometimes they sleep all day, but sometimes they just stare at space for hours. I need to learn to do that. :P