Hi Taishi,
Where you can or not, with your physical condition and pain, is one thing. You certainly should not unless the doctor says it is possible and recommended.
However, is it a generally good thing? Yes. Even though there is "nothing to attain" in this Practice, that does not mean there is "nothing to attain". It is our daily, busy running around and chasing after a life of "this and that" which hides the real meaning of "nothing to attain" from us. Only by sitting still, for long periods, truly giving up the chase can we sometimes savor the real meaning of "nothing to attain". It is the little self that demands to be distracted and entertained ... and sometimes only days of sitting quietly not feeding and amusing that "me myself and i" can put that little self out of a job.
Now, if you cannot attend such a long retreat because of physical limitation, no problem! Why? Your physical pain and limitations also are your "retreat" if you have a wise eye, and offer the same opportunities to rest content without feeding the little self. In other words, you can find "nothing to attain" and freedom right as and because of your limitations which are also like "monastery walls" which offer a place for Practice.
Gassho, J
SatToday
PS - Someone linked to an old Talk and thread today that touches on this ... the difference between "pain" and "suffering" in a Buddhist context ...
Where you can or not, with your physical condition and pain, is one thing. You certainly should not unless the doctor says it is possible and recommended.
However, is it a generally good thing? Yes. Even though there is "nothing to attain" in this Practice, that does not mean there is "nothing to attain". It is our daily, busy running around and chasing after a life of "this and that" which hides the real meaning of "nothing to attain" from us. Only by sitting still, for long periods, truly giving up the chase can we sometimes savor the real meaning of "nothing to attain". It is the little self that demands to be distracted and entertained ... and sometimes only days of sitting quietly not feeding and amusing that "me myself and i" can put that little self out of a job.
Now, if you cannot attend such a long retreat because of physical limitation, no problem! Why? Your physical pain and limitations also are your "retreat" if you have a wise eye, and offer the same opportunities to rest content without feeding the little self. In other words, you can find "nothing to attain" and freedom right as and because of your limitations which are also like "monastery walls" which offer a place for Practice.
Gassho, J
SatToday
PS - Someone linked to an old Talk and thread today that touches on this ... the difference between "pain" and "suffering" in a Buddhist context ...
for positive poetry 優婆塞 台 婆
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