Proposal for Sangha Discussion: "SAT TODAY!" - Sitting Before Talking

[Jundo]

Dear All,

I have a proposal that I would like to try in this Sangha for a month, then keep if it works out. Comments please.

It is great that we talk on this forum so warmly about so many topics regarding Zen Practice and All of Life. However, before talking, this community is ultimately a Practice Place for Zazen Sitting!

So, the idea is that folks (not including relatively new members) will be asked to print the words "SAT TODAY!" next to their signature on any posting they make to this Forum!

"Sat Today" will mean that they have sat Zazen for even a few minutes within the previous 24 hours or so.

The rule would not apply to relatively new members during their first 3 months of membership. Also, it would not apply to folks who have a good reason not to have sat such as health, life emergencies or genuine trouble with sitting. They are always welcome to post if they could not sit.

However, for other folks, I will remind in a gentle way, "Did you sit today, because we should not talk until we have sat. Please include 'Sat Today' by your name to show!"　I will ask people kindly not to engage in chit chat until they have sat, unless their is some special reason.

What do you feel?

I feel it will be lovely to see long strings of ...

"Sat Today!"

"Sat Today!"

"Sat Today!"

... by our various members names! I hope it will built energy and community spirit for all of us sitting around the world!

Well, that is the proposal.

Gassho, Jundo SAT TODAY!

PS - Some folks might wonder why "Sat Today!" and not "I Sat Today!"? Well, there reason is simply there is no "I" in Shikantaza sitting!!

[Ryumon]

Or, perhaps, use the common form used on certain social media platforms...

Gassho,

Kirk
#SatToday

[Kyotai]

Seems it keeps the emphasis on where it should be.

Shawn
(Sat today)

[jizu]

new to the site/sangha but open to the idea...however, in reading recent threads and watching the sit-alongs, energy and spirit are already here to inspire sitting and vice versa!

Gassho,
Jon
#SatToday

[Byokan]

Hi All,

When I joined the forum, like many newbies, I was sooo happy to be here, I was posting many times a day. It soon occurred to me that I was spending much more time on the forum than I was spending on the zafu, so I made that rule for myself; sit first. It just makes sense. As for noting it by your name, I don’t have any strong feelings pro or con. I think, if nothing else, simple peer pressure will encourage folks to want to have the note by their name. Lets try it for a month, see what comes up and how it feels!

Gassho
Lisa
Sat Today!
sat2day
ST

[Anshu Bryson]

Love it!

Gassho,

Bryson

Sat today (this morning before work. And just about to go home and sit all over again!)

[Daiyo]

Sounds good to me.

Gassho,
Walter

SAT TODAY!

[Joryu]

- Nandi - sat today

[Jishin]

I think this will cut down on my worthless posts.

Gassho, Jishin, SAT TODAY

[RichardH]

Will do.


-sat today
Gassho
Daizan

[Ugrok]

Sat today !

Ugrok - Sat today.

[jeff_u]

Gassho,
Jeff
(Sat Today)

[Kaishin]

Okie doke!
-sat today

[Jundo]

I have to remember myself.

I have already posted a couple of times today while forgetting the "Sat Today!"

Gassho, Jundo Sat Today

[Nindo]

I see your point, but ... (am I always the only one with a "but"???)

Where is the fine line to bragging about sitting? To "look at me, I'm an A student"?
Where is the fine line to discouraging folks from reporting their problems with sitting, when they haven't managed for a couple of days or longer?
What about the notion that all of life is our continuation of zazen, not just a defined period on a cushion?

Woke, washed, put the porridge on, sat, woke husband, had breakfast, brushed teeth, put on new jacket (present from Mum), waved to husband from street, saw a white rabbit, crossed the bridge, walked up the hill, went to work today.

Gassho,
Nindo