Staying focused

[Jakugan]

Thanks for everyone's advice. Just thinking about some of the suggestions here have already had a positive effect.

gassho,

simon.

sat today.

[Erik de Heiden]

Hi Simon!

Welcome back. Yes, I have been there too, but that's why I sit even more. I have found that when the mind doesn't want to sit, it's when it most needs zazen.

So just sit one day at a time.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

Thank you.
Good one.

SAT2day

[Ansan]

Hello, Simon,

I have only been "sitting" for about 3 or 4 months so I am certainly no expert. Sometimes, it is easy, and something to look forward to. At other times, like you, it just seems flat. As Jundo says, try not to sit like a bump on a log, and it is then that I ask, "what is wrong with being a bump on a log?" Or a frog on a log. Just let the thoughts go and be with the 1/2 hour or whatever time you have committed to and try to stay in the present. It ain't easy, but not hard either. I have found that my best motivation to sit is that I have a sitting buddy, my husband. He is not a buddhist but is committed to sitting. He often stages the room, and then, before sitting, we read something for "inspiration". Currently, we are almost finished with the book "Buddhism, It Is Not What You Think," by Steve Hagen. My husband is oriented toward the scientific and we usually have some interesting and provocative discussions before sitting. Another book, outside the recommended reading is Susan Blackmore's "Ten Zen Questions." She is not a buddhist either but does meditate daily and has for decades. She too is a scientist and finds Zen stimulating and is full of questions for and from her research. Like Danny, I also found Brad Warner's book "Hard Core Zen" fresh and inviting. Just sit, Simon. Don't worry about not doing it right or getting anywhere. Just sit. We are sitting with you.

Gassho,

Ansan/Ka

SatToday

[Jakugan]

Hello, Simon,

I have only been "sitting" for about 3 or 4 months so I am certainly no expert. Sometimes, it is easy, and something to look forward to. At other times, like you, it just seems flat. As Jundo says, try not to sit like a bump on a log, and it is then that I ask, "what is wrong with being a bump on a log?" Or a frog on a log. Just let the thoughts go and be with the 1/2 hour or whatever time you have committed to and try to stay in the present. It ain't easy, but not hard either. I have found that my best motivation to sit is that I have a sitting buddy, my husband. He is not a buddhist but is committed to sitting. He often stages the room, and then, before sitting, we read something for "inspiration". Currently, we are almost finished with the book "Buddhism, It Is Not What You Think," by Steve Hagen. My husband is oriented toward the scientific and we usually have some interesting and provocative discussions before sitting. Another book, outside the recommended reading is Susan Blackmore's "Ten Zen Questions." She is not a buddhist either but does meditate daily and has for decades. She too is a scientist and finds Zen stimulating and is full of questions for and from her research. Like Danny, I also found Brad Warner's book "Hard Core Zen" fresh and inviting. Just sit, Simon. Don't worry about not doing it right or getting anywhere. Just sit. We are sitting with you.

Gassho,

Ansan/Ka

SatToday

Thank you.



Gassho,

Simon.

Sat today.