Zazen only a drop in the bucket?

[Daijo]

Great discussion. For my own practice I find that I don't need to completely "tune out". But I try (and often fail) to reduce my intake of negativity. Turning off the news, (even the news shows I like over on the far left), staying away from violent images, etc.. seems to slow things down. I find that most of my monkey mind moments are caused by things I am worried about. It's easier for the good thoughts to just sort of settle. I've even found some web sites dedicated to providing "good news" where you can read about all of the wonderful things that happened today. At least for me, I seem to not get as wrapped up in emotions when I'm feeling more positive. I guess I'm trying focusing my attention on what's right with the world as opposed to whats wrong with it. For me, it seems to reduce the chatter. Now if I could only stick to it.....

[Kaishin]

I've even found some web sites dedicated to providing "good news" where you can read about all of the wonderful things that happened today. ...

Please share!!!

[Daijo]

Please share!!!

http://www.happynews.com/

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ this one requires a subscription for most of the content

[Hoyu]

Please share!!!

Don't forget about the "Metta News Network" which was started by the Edwards family on Facebook

Gassho,
Hoyu

[Dojin]

I agree a quiet place is nice sometimes for zazen. nature could be wonderful but in the end i dont care where i sit. if its at home facing a wall, a mountain top (would love to try that but i dont have any places like that anywhere close to home). or anything else i think one must find focus in any situation and just see it as it is!.

Gassho, Dojin.

[chatteringmonkeys]

I agree a quiet place is nice sometimes for zazen. nature could be wonderful but in the end i dont care where i sit. if its at home facing a wall, a mountain top (would love to try that but i dont have any places like that anywhere close to home). or anything else i think one must find focus in any situation and just see it as it is!.

Gassho, Dojin.

This is a very good point, thank you Dojin.

Gassho,
Darrell

[Dokan]

I am sitting more regularly (people who've heard me say that 30 times please ignore that statement), and learning to drop thoughts in a way I thought was good enough, but I am really having lots of chatter going on and on in my head.

I find this in evening sits. Morning time I find my mind is still and so nothing to settle.

One thing I have adopted as of late is to be aware of my breathing when my mind is agitated. Not counting, but rather the flow of cool air through the bridge of my nose and its warmth when being expelled. Not something I use frequently, but in those instances I can't seem to calm the waters. :-)

Gassho

Dokan

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk 2

[murasaki]

I don't think I was all that clear in my original post -- most likely because of the constant chatter in my head The core of the problem is not what to do about excessive chatter in my sitting, but that the chatter is with me constantly and at a high enough level to really bother me and interfere with my general effectiveness in life. I thought maybe that because I had been sitting more regularly that I would see a reduction in the chatter in my off-the-cushion life. But this wasn't the case.

I have come to accept that there's a baseline chatter level that I need to deal with while sitting, but my tendency to play mind-dramas in my head every moment of the day is what is really bothering me lately, and something I would like to find a way to resolve.

Gassho,
Julia

[Dojin]

Hey Julia.
i think that maybe you could try not to get the chatter to stop but to accept it and just let it go. be aware of it, see it for what it is. but dont get caught up in it.

hope thats not to vague of an answer....

Gassho, Dojin.

[Nengyo]

I have come to accept that there's a baseline chatter level that I need to deal with while sitting, but my tendency to play mind-dramas in my head every moment of the day is what is really bothering me lately, and something I would like to find a way to resolve.

Have you tried repeating a mantra when you find yourself getting caught up? When I find myself playing out fantastical hypothetical situations over and over I usually just try chanting mantras out loud (or to myself if it is a bad place for chanting.) I don't the particular mantra matters too much, I just give it a go and try to remain mindful for several repetitions. Sometimes it works like a charm, other times it is more like a break in between thoughts, but it may be worth a shot.

[Gary]

Have you tried repeating a mantra when you find yourself getting caught up? When I find myself playing out fantastical hypothetical situations over and over I usually just try chanting mantras out loud (or to myself if it is a bad place for chanting.) I don't the particular mantra matters too much, I just give it a go and try to remain mindful for several repetitions. Sometimes it works like a charm, other times it is more like a break in between thoughts, but it may be worth a shot.

I often repeat to myself "No more stories, no more stories" or simply "Sweep, sweep".

Gassho
Gary

[Jundo]

I often repeat to myself "No more stories, no more stories" or simply "Sweep, sweep".

Gassho
Gary

I think this can be one VERY good tool on the Dharma toolbelt. Very fine. A Mantra does not necessarily have to be some mysterious phrase in Sanskrit, a Koan, the name of a Buddha or the like. These sound like a lesson that's very "to the point"and which hammer the message home. This might be an effective, momentary tool for when someone gets too caught up in the thoughts and drama, a good short term measure to pull one out of the clouds of thought and emotions.

Hmmm. Perhaps we should develop this into one tool for our recommended Daily "Nurturing Seeds" Practice!

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6540-RECOMMENDED-DAILY-Nurturing-Seeds-PRACTICE

Gassho, Jundo

PS - Another alternative may be this, care of American TV show Seinfeld .... SERENITY NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3VCl3yBURs

[Koshin]

I always have loved "Serenity Now"

[Kyonin]

Julia,

I have found that when I limit my Internet and other media consumption for a while, the chatter fades away.

Watching the news, for instance, makes my mind very chatty. These days with the political turmoil here, the news is non stop mind-troll food.

I don't know. Maybe that helps.

And yes... Serenity now!!

[Mp]

Watching the news, for instance, makes my mind very chatty. These days with the political turmoil here, the news is non stop mind-troll food.

I agree there ... plus I find just doing things that i enjoy that really don't take much thought works as well ... just allowing myself to do, instead of thinking what to do.

Gassho,
Michael