Time for Yugen's Sunday Zazenkai

[Jika]

Thank you, Yugen.
I won't be able to attend the historical first ceremony, as I will be on vacation without wifi then.
But I hope there will be many more and I really look forward to them.

Deep bows.
Danny
#sattoday

[Hotetsu]

I will most definitely be there. Thank you, Yugen.

Gassho

#SatToday

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[Meishin]

Thank you, Yugen. I will not be able to sit "live" every week, but many I will. Since i was never free for the other one, this is welcomed.

On a different subject, I'd appreciate instruction on protocol for zazenkai, as well as others sits. As well as the nuances of using G+. (Last time I sat live I had assumed my mic needed to be off so I turned it off. But when I tried to turn it back on to say hello at the end of the session, I accidentally exited instead.)

In the time I've been with Treeleaf, I've noticed variation in how things are done (some sitting groups gassho during the three bells that are rung prior to a zazen session; some do not). I noticed there's a lot of variation in bowing among participants. In other sanghas, there was instruction so we were on the same page. There may be a forum thread I haven't discovered, but perhaps other beginners are in the same quandary as I. I realize i could PM a priest, but if I'm confused about this, maybe others are too.

Excuse me for hijacking this thread. But a new zazenkai time might be a good occasion for a training session (or video). If it already exists, a link would be appreciated.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Jundo]

Hi Meishin,

In fact, Yugen is going to get a script to me this week for a film we are making that is going to hammer down all the "how to" and "when to" in the Zendo. Stay tuned.

Yugen, is it about ready?

Gassho, Jundo

[Meishin]

Thanks Jundo and Yugen!

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Yugen]

New Zazenkai Time Slot?

Yes, I'd like to have this film available before we start the new zazenkai schedule. I apologize to all for my delay in getting this finished - I've been down and on a reduced schedule the last two weeks with a nasty respiratory virus.

Jundo, I will have the script finished this weekend. After you review perhaps we can film late next week.

Deep bows
Yugen


sat2day

[Troy]

Thank you Yugen for making this new Zazenkai time available. I look forward to sitting live with everyone.

[Rick]

Wonderful!

Rick
Sat today

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[Dosho]

Meishin,

Aside from Yugen's weekly zazenkai which will indeed have a "script," what is it that troubles you about the variations among sitting groups?

Figuring out how to roll with such things was a huge part of my practice when I first came to Treeleaf. I wouldn't trade in that confusion for anything!

Gassho,
Dosho

Sat today

Thank you, Yugen. I will not be able to sit "live" every week, but many I will. Since i was never free for the other one, this is welcomed.

On a different subject, I'd appreciate instruction on protocol for zazenkai, as well as others sits. As well as the nuances of using G+. (Last time I sat live I had assumed my mic needed to be off so I turned it off. But when I tried to turn it back on to say hello at the end of the session, I accidentally exited instead.)

In the time I've been with Treeleaf, I've noticed variation in how things are done (some sitting groups gassho during the three bells that are rung prior to a zazen session; some do not). I noticed there's a lot of variation in bowing among participants. In other sanghas, there was instruction so we were on the same page. There may be a forum thread I haven't discovered, but perhaps other beginners are in the same quandary as I. I realize i could PM a priest, but if I'm confused about this, maybe others are too.

Excuse me for hijacking this thread. But a new zazenkai time might be a good occasion for a training session (or video). If it already exists, a link would be appreciated.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Jundo]

Meishin,

Aside from Yugen's weekly zazenkai which will indeed have a "script," what is it that troubles you about the variations among sitting groups?

Figuring out how to roll with such things was a huge part of my practice when I first came to Treeleaf. I wouldn't trade in that confusion for anything!

Gassho,
Dosho

Sat today

Oh, this is so true! When in Rome, bow as the Romans bow! Flow with the differences.

Even here in Japan, I have yet to go to two Zazenkai in monasteries or temples where everything is done just the same ... and things will even sometimes change week to week depending on who is in charge ... yet each one will tell you that they are following "the Tradition"!

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Meishin]

Sorry for mentioning my concern.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Joyo]

Hi Meishin,

In fact, Yugen is going to get a script to me this week for a film we are making that is going to hammer down all the "how to" and "when to" in the Zendo. Stay tuned.

Yugen, is it about ready?

Gassho, Jundo

This is great, would be a huge help. When practicing with everyone on g+ I always feel like there's a bit of a dance going on, and I do not know the dance very well so am fumbling along.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Yugen]

New Zazenkai Time Slot?

Meishin,
Your concerns and questions are legitimate. Do not apologize. The reality is that zendo etiquette and customs vary from zendo to zendo and lineage as well. Even in the same lineage or organization different teachers may have their own customs and variations.

Any guide we provide is not a "script" to be followed rigidly, but rather an introduction to customary etiquette and behavior in the zendo.

Knowing how and when to bow, or how to step in kinhin is not an inflexible order of practice but rather a guide which enables us to share in the richness of our tradition together - the last thing we want to do is give the impression of or produce rigidity in practice. While zen certainly has richness of tradition (and often inflexibility in monastic environments) there is a balance to be found today in balancing tradition with modernity, ritual with spontaneity and joy in practice.

I used to find zen ritual to be stifling and questioned its relevance to practice. Now I find it liberating and a portal through which I can join the stream of practitioners in the present, past, and future. Just as in zazen we join the stream of practitioners, when bowing or working at the altar we join together time and space - all who have come before us, will follow us, and practice with us in the present. It is a remarkable act of engaging .....

Do not apologize. Indeed, I am grateful for your question - it allows me to assemble my thoughts regarding the relevance of ritual to my own practice.

Deep bows
Yugen


sat2day

[Meishin]

Thank you, Yugen

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Dosho]

Meishin,

Yugen expresses this better than I, but he is quite correct when he said there is no need to apologize. I was just trying to give you a nudge to see if it was simply a matter of knowing protocol or if your pesky self was trying to alleviate discomfort at not knowing what to do.

For myself, my mind is always trying to fill the empty space, whether it be simple conversations or performing rituals. For quite a time the tea party and dokusan were absolute agony. But had I not chosen to face this issue and instead looked for a ritual to "save me" I most certainly would have missed a wonderful opportunity for practice. Now, don't get me wrong, the fear I speak of is still there! However, I am now better able to let it wash over me without believing that I shall surely drown.

Please always take my questions literally...I really wanted to know what concerned you. But if I gave you the impression that you should not have raised your concern, then it is I that should apologize.

Thank you for your practice.

Gassho,
Dosho

Sat today

Sorry for mentioning my concern.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today