Zazen with Chronic Illness

[Meian]

Thank you, Jundo.

I tried this just this evening, when feeling ill again. I had planned to finish my classwork and start this week's studies, but was too tired and lightheaded. So i tried a zazen app i had just downloaded, and it gave me an option of a 10m:30s zazen. So i thought on your advice and Dogen's instruction - how successful i was, I don't know, but i just focused on my yoga breathing and drifted, again. No time, no limits, no goals, just breathing and letting everything go. I did not fall asleep, but I did end up some place deep and quiet. I did a second session immediately after, and when the second one ended, I was ready and alert to do my work, focused and not dizzy

I sat in reclining Buddha position, readjusted as needed, but zazen the whole time.

This is definitely working for me, and i am able to "not work" it as well.

Thank you so much. [Deep bows]

Gassho
Kim
Sat today

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[Jundo]

... but I did end up some place deep and quiet.

Wonderful Kim.

Just a little reminder too that, in our strange way of "non-meditating" meditation, even on those days in which you do not end up in some "place deep and quiet" ... and all is a mess, uncomfortable, not feeling so good ... that is just what it is, sacred Zazen too. There is no "bad" Zazen ... even the bad Zazen. All is good Zazen ... even the not so good Zazen. In our way, it is more vital to accept and "become one with" all things as they are, then to reach some special state (not to say that reaching some state is not also very nice!)

It is a bit like saying that we take all weather as it comes ... sunny days, cloudy, rainy. The sun and moon are always present, even when unseen, even on those days when hidden by the clouds. So, appreciate the clear and cloudless days, but even appreciate and "become one with" the hurricanes that life throws your way. There is never a time that enlightenment is not present even when hidden to the eyes.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Jika]

Right moment for this.
Thanks.

Gassho
Jika
#sattoday

[Tai Shi]

Hi friends, I have had a chance to practice body scans as well as Zazen. I think both are compatible with body scan being helpful with chronic illness, so my wife says that when I practice both I am calmer, and that's important in a relationship. Still I am sure that I am part of the Sangha with responsibility for the Shinkantaza and perhaps I need more instructions as to just sitting. Why is it important? What are we expected to accomplish? Perhaps Jundo could explain or in simple terms recommend a book besides Zen Mind, Beginner Mind which I have read several times. Just a thought.

Elgwyn
Tai Shi
sat today
Deep bows

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[Jundo]

What are we expected to accomplish?

Perhaps to experience being one beyond one with all things as it is, flowing with ... being the flowing ... of all life's flowing.

Sounds simple, but deluded human being rarely know this. They prefer things to be and life to move as their little ego wants, and feel a gap between the little self and all the world. When there is realized that not even the slightest gap is found, one experiences that nothing is to be added or removed, nothing lacks, nothing is ever in need of gain, nothing lost ...

... even as and amid this world of gain and loss, lack and passing, sickness and health.

Perhaps Jundo could explain or in simple terms recommend a book besides Zen Mind, Beginner Mind which I have read several times. Just a thought.

I believe I pointed you here before. The starred books are recommended for new folks, and you can't go wrong with anything by Uchiyama or Okamura Roshis.

SUGGESTED BOOK & MEDIA LIST for TREELEAF SANGHA

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?5711-SUGGESTED-BOOK-MEDIA-LIST-for-TREELEAF-SANGHA

Gassho, J
SatToday

[Tai Shi]

I have Uchiyama's book and I will begin reading it, also I think it best if I re-read Roshi Suzuki's book because so much has happened to me in the last two years. As far as my health situation my wife says that I am at an age where things just will never be perfect and that I expect too much from doctors Gasho std Elgwyn.


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[Jika]

Why is it important? What are we expected to accomplish?

Hi Tai Shi,

I am happy for you that your practice is helping you!
Have you been following the special Zazenkai with Brad Warner?
His book "Don't be a jerk" answers your questions in a way I (not a poet, not a native English speaker) find very understandable.
He uses a metaphor of the Munich "Eisbach", which I haven't visited, but you might have!
I guess, that after elementary school we all find that things just will never be perfect - seeing this imperfection as Perfection is our practice.

Gassho
Jika
#sattoday

[Meian]

Jika, i like your "perfection in imperfection" metaphor.

Last night I attended a Restorative Yoga workshop. It was helpful, though i put my body in positions that felt quite pretzel-like. Heart Bench was by far the most difficult for me - I had completely forgotten that I have scoliosis, but the yoga instructor noticed, and this pose brought my spine roaring awake again (ouch!!!#). I got through the class OK, not sleeping like everyone else was, but newly aware of my physical limitations and the need to honor and respect them.

While others were fully relaxed and quiet, I decided this was a perfect opportunity to zazen instead of staring at the ceiling or wondering how long i could hold a pose. Zazen in awkward positions actually helped me to focus less on the pain i was in, and more on body awareness and awareness of my self. As the teacher instructed, I focused on my ujjayi breathing and used that for my zazen.

The teacher knew i was struggling, but also understood that I've learned that pain in yoga can be a good thing, leading to healing (which, I'm a bit sore, but otherwise feeling good today), so she intervened minimally to adjust me as needed.

My point is that pain can be healing and beneficial sometimes, and zazen and breathing can help manage the pain and brings me to greater awareness of my self and the present moment. I told the teacher this discovery after class and she agreed with that technique. Yoga has also become an integral part of my Buddhist/zazen practice.

Gassho
Kim
Sat today

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[Meian]

Hello all,

I found my old thread on this topic, and decided to resurrect it since the subject came up elsewhere. Also, the seasonal weather is changing where I am, and so I am experiencing a bit of a flare (increased pain everywhere). I went to google some resources, and found a recent article on fibromyalgia that refers to some Buddhist practices to help manage flares and chronic illnesses. Sharing in case it is useful: https://fibromyalgianewstoday.com/20...-fibro-flares/

gassho
Kim
S/t