Another introduction...

[Ten]

Welcome to the forum Kev/Longdog!

As far as I know there is a Zen group near me too which is also associated with Throssel Hole Abbey, I would maybe like to attend in the future, but don't have the courage or the confidence. I think they sit for an hour at a time which is something I don't think I could do.

Best wishes.

[Longdog]

Hi Ten

Don't know where you are in the UK, may be you could PM me if you don't want details on here for the world to see?

I'd be surprised if any of the Throssel Hole associated groups sit for an hour.

Our group usually sat for 2x 20 minutes with 5 mins kinhin in between. Occasionally one sitting of 30minutes.

At the Abbey they seem to sit for 30-40 minutes a time, which leaves me pretty numb in the legs :lol: I have actually stumbled once ops: when rushing to get up for kinhin and thinking my legs were not as numb as they were :lol:

I don't know about all groups but there is usally a short sung service of one of the scriptures before zazen sung in English in gregorian chant style, I like it.

The other thing is they are realxed about using a bench or chair to sit but stil require proper upper body posture if that makes sense. Most seem to use a bench or chair, not seen a full lotus yet :shock:

Be brave and get in touch with them, if you find it's not your thing at least you'll know. I just wish my health would let me attend both the group and the festivals at the abbey.

Kev

[Bansho]

Hi Kev,

Welcome, nice to have you here!

Gassho
Kenneth

[Steve]

Welcome!

[Lynn]

Hi Kev, and welcome!! Nice to have you here. Are you anywhere near Whitley Bay?

I've never been to Throssel but we always had monks visiting us when I was at Shasta Abbey (Throssel's sister Abbey.) They are such a lovely, warm group. I've a great fondness for the English!

Ten, please do go. You don't have to commit to anything by going, but it's wonderful to have a live sangha to gather with. You will need to attend an introduction session and you can let the monk doing the session know of any physical limitations you may have regarding sitting. You will happily be accomodated. Heck, I threw my back once and did an entire 7 day sesshin in a portable recliner! The meditation periods are 40 min.

Really...hie thee hence! (And watch out for the wild bunnies!)

Gassho~

*Lynn

[Longdog]

hi Lynn

No where near Whitley Bay, but I did got to the Spanish city on a club trip as a kid :lol:

I'm down the coast near Saltburn so I go to the Teesside Group when I can.
http://northeastserenereflection.org.uk ... de/WebHome

Throssel Hole is a lovely place in a lovely setting on top of the Pennines, they often have visiting Monks from Shasta.

[Komoku]

Hi again Kev,

I used to have Greyhound retirees. It broke my heart when each of mine passed. They are great, well behaved pets.

[John]

Hi Kev, I live in Northern Ireland. I watched a video one time about Throssel. The priest was explaining about posture and how to sit properly,

Gassho,
John

[Longdog]

Hi John,

is there somewhere on the net to watch that video? Be interested to see it. I the first time I visited there a monk went through posture etc with me.

SPD901, yeh they are lovely pets. We lost one last year to cancer :cry:

gassho Kev

[John]

Sorry Kev. It was a really old black and white video on VHS tape. I'm not sure if we still have it. It was good for showing newcomers the rudiments of good posture while sitting,

Gassho,
John

[Longdog]

No worries it was just out of interest.

Kev

[Ten]

Hi Kev and Lynn. I found the page out where I saw about the Throssel Hole affiliated Zen group. I'm on the Isle of Wight by the way.

http://isleofwight.fwbo.net/communities3.html

There's no mention there that they sit for an hour, so I've no idea why I thought I had read that, sorry. This may sound really silly, but it's minor things that put me off going, like my stomach always rumbles really loudly when it's quiet and I have trouble breathing through my nose most the time, sometimes it whistles. I think I'd spent the whole time worrying about that instead of the usual things like meeting others, not being able to sit for that long, or what you might be asked to do. :lol:

[Jundo]

When your stomach rumbles, let it rumble. When you whistle, just whistle. No problem.

That being said, eat lightly before going ... and try some nasal spray perhaps.

Gassho, J

[Longdog]

Hi Ten

My first retreat was with the FWBO up in Danakosa in Scotland about 10 years ago, special place and special people on that retreat.

Isle of Wight is a place I'd love to visit, nearly go there on a trip to the new forest years ago.

It's funny my concerns when sitting other then at home usually revolve around my disturbing others with my cramped foot or numb shuffling and I too have the whistling nose (even after an op.) :lol:

I think there is a lesson there about my 'self' and may be an opportunity for others sitting with me about their self too.

Gassho, Kev

[Longdog]

:lol: lot of buddhists on a small island eh?

Kev