Everyday Gassho

[Ryan379]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently trying to integrate gassho into everyday life practice; giving a gassho and small bow/nod when greeting others and saying goodbye and when saying thankyou. I've felt a little self conscious at fist but am finding that melting away to reveal an enhanced sense of respect for others, allowing me to better see the buddha nature in all of us.

Do any of you guys do anything similar? How do you feel about this sort of practice?

Thanks for reading!



Gassho

Ryan

Sat Today

[Talib]

I either say this or Namaste. Something is good shows mindfulness.
_/\_
Gassho
Sat today

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[Mp]

Hello Ryan,

Well, it depends on who I am with, but in most cases I gassho in my heart and it is expressed with a smile. So that way we can part ways with a warm smile from the heart. Whether I shake hands, fist bump, or gassho, the heartfelt gassho is always present. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#justsat

[Rich]

Hello Ryan,



Well, it depends on who I am with, but in most cases I gassho in my heart and it is expressed with a smile. So that way we can part ways with a warm smile from the heart. Whether I shake hands, fist bump, or gassho, the heartfelt gassho is always present. =)



Gassho

Shingen



#justsat

That's really beautiful, shingen, thanks.

SAT today

[Jundo]

Well, I live in Japan, and everybody bows to everybody here ... so this is easy!

Whenever I go back to the US, though, the checkout women in the grocery and taxi drivers always wonder and seem a bit confused why I am still bowing to them.

We have our Ango practice involving saying "thank you" throughout the day, and it strikes me as like this. Lovely Practice.

Gassho, Jundo

[Doshin]

I second this!! Where I live it would scare folks if I bowed

Gassho

Randy
sat today

That's really beautiful, shingen, thanks.

SAT today

[Chiko]

I like the sentiment. If I had to choose a greeting that conveyed genuine well-wishing to a stranger, I'd probably opt for a simple "How are you?" Though it is regarded--and often responded to--as banal or less-than-sincere among people who actually know each other (really just a precursor to the "meat" of the conversation), I think asking a passerby how they are conveys an openness, sincerity, and a warmness for others that extends beyond the typical close circle of compatriots. Of course, if I haven't sat zazen that day, I might greet even those that I love with a grunt or snarl.

Gassho,
Matt
(fortunately) SatToday

[Myogan]

Though it is regarded--and often responded to--as banal or less-than-sincere . .

Perhaps a "verbal Gassho" is possible, it would depend on the greeting and the situation. For example even after a police officer had my car towed I surprised him with my last words to him of "Stay safe". Or a simple nod and smile to the TSA agent at the airport is probably much different from the typical response they receive.

Sat

[Doshin]

Perhaps a "verbal Gassho" is possible, it would depend on the greeting and the situation. For example even after a police officer had my cay towed I surprised him with my last words to him of "Stay safe". Or a simple nod and smile to the TSA agent at the airport is probably much different from the typical response they receive.

Sat

Very cool. And very good.

Gassho

Randy
sattoday

[Risho]

Hello Ryan,

Well, it depends on who I am with, but in most cases I gassho in my heart and it is expressed with a smile. So that way we can part ways with a warm smile from the heart. Whether I shake hands, fist bump, or gassho, the heartfelt gassho is always present. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#justsat

Yeah -- nothing more to say to that

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

[Seido]

I've been trying to do the same. It has been a little more awkward than I expected, but I feel that overcoming the awkward is a part of the practice of doing this exercise. For me, the visible act is important. My goal is to merge the physical demonstration and the verbal statement of thanks, which in Western culture I feel is lacking. I want to surprise or maybe throw people off in a little bit of an unexpected way. It helps to bring thankfulness to their mind as well, maybe helping them to be more visibly thankful as well.

Gassho,
Ken
SatToday

[Kaishin]

No... I stick to cultural norms in this area. Doing this seems like it would just create more separation and also awkwardness for the other party. Sometimes awkwardness is just awkwardness, not something that needs to be worked through.

I think Shingen has a reasonable approach.

[Kyonin]

Hi Ryan,

I do gassho to everyone I can and with all my heart. Specially when I say thanks. Sure, people look at me funny, some smile, but at the end most of people will nod or bow back.

It's fun, but most importantly, to practice this makes you set the ego aside and lose the fear to be criticized.

Sometimes I also wear a clown nose

But then again, I'm that weird.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Shugen]

No Kyonin, you're that awesome!

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday


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[Anshu Bryson]

The 'hands together' greeting is common where I live, so I don't have to feel self-conscious. In fact, it fits right in...! balinese-greeting-5122537.jpg