Practising when walking, driving or on the train

[Tai Shi]

I have come back here, and as a new-comer, I must have skipped over this part, and I have learned from others to sit instant Zazen, so I try to remember. It is very good to receive some formal words from Jundo, and think tha I too can learn to be patient and practice in the grocery-line. Thank you,

Tai Shi
sat today
Gassho

[Tai Shi]

For me, I no longer drive, and my skeletal diseases allows for limited mobility. Thu at age 65, it could happen to any of us. And I sit mindfully, I try to eat mindfully, and, of course, I try to do most things mindfully. Still, I get angry with my wife sometimes, I doubt the love of my daughter sometimes (She is 27-years-old), and when I stub my toe, I cuss. So what else; I walk mindfully when I walk sometimes short distances, and when I go to the warm-water-pool, I water walk slowly. AND I forget, and I have pain in my body. So only sometimes am I mindful, and I notice it isn't as often as I would like, and some days not at all, and I must be reminded by reading this forum, and I sit. Thank you.

Tai Shi
sat today
Gassho

[Kyosei]

I was reading some passages in "Zen Heart" by Ezra Bayda that were relevant to this...He describes mindfulness as like a snapshot of a moment that can be examined as if by an observer; concentration as the use of a telephoto lens; and "open awareness" as a 360 degree view with surround sound, where you are both part and observer, aware of the body and its connection to the universe and all its elements.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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Thank you Jakuden. Very interesting analogy.

Gassho

Marcos

#SatToday

[Jakuden]

I was reading some passages in "Zen Heart" by Ezra Bayda that were relevant to this...He describes mindfulness as like a snapshot of a moment that can be examined as if by an observer; concentration as the use of a telephoto lens; and "open awareness" as a 360 degree view with surround sound, where you are both part and observer, aware of the body and its connection to the universe and all its elements.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Enjaku]

Zazen is just sitting so I need to mindfully just sit while i am just sitting.

Hi Warren,
This seems to me a nice way of putting it. I feel we need to remember that zazen is literally, "seated meditation", and try to give this our full attention when we do it, as with other activities, including driving, eating etc.
This is my current understanding at least.
Gassho,
Alex
Sat

[Tairin]

I think the distinction between mindful action and Zazen is important although I am still trying to get my head around it too. Mindfulness during an action means being aware and being present in that action. I can be mindful as I drive, as I walk, as I eat, as I talk with my son, etc. Zazen is an activity too and I need to approach it in the same regard. Zazen is just sitting so I need to mindfully just sit while i am just sitting.

Or I could be wrong.

Gassho
Warren
Mindfully Sat today

[Kyonin]

Hi Mart,

Sitting zazen is just that. You sit on your zafu and that's all there is to it.

I have found that I can be present and mindful of my thoughts several times during the day, but I guess that's not what you can find in Fukanzazengi.

So, yes, all these people in Insight Timer are mindful for 10 minutes or more during regular day activities. But a little Shikantaza is always welcome

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Kyosei]

Mindfulness Practices such as those I have sometimes heard TNH recommend are not quite the same as Shikantaza. Being aware of the moment or present in the moment is "mindfulness. On the other hand, being totally allowing, complete, fulfilled and whole with the moment, might be how I would describe Shikantaza and the subtle difference.

In Shikantaza, the act of sitting itself (or whatever other action one is undertaking, from walking to washing the windows to being on one's deathbed) is totally complete and whole unto itself, a perfect act, nothing to add or take away, a sacred doing. There is nothing to add nor take away, no place else to be or get to (even as we keep walking cause we need to get to the meeting, or washing as the windows need a cleaning, or taking our medicine to avoid that deathbed as long as possible).

That is a little bit more subtle than simply being aware and present in the moment, if you ask me.

If you are not clear on this "whole and complete doing, each step a total arrival, sacred" aspect of Shikantaza, please watch the new Beginners series.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?121-A-SERIES-OF-TALKS-FOR-NEW-FOLKS-%28NEW%29

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

Thank you Jundo, I was really taking one thing for the other; as for the videos, I'll gonna watch them again.

Gassho

Marcos

[Jundo]

By the way, I remembered a book I like very much from Thich Nhat Hahn, in english is called "The Miracle Of Mindfullness". It exemplifies this mental attitude through some stories. A good book for me.

Mindfulness Practices such as those I have sometimes heard TNH recommend are not quite the same as Shikantaza. Being aware of the moment or present in the moment is "mindfulness. On the other hand, being totally allowing, complete, fulfilled and whole with the moment, might be how I would describe Shikantaza and the subtle difference.

In Shikantaza, the act of sitting itself (or whatever other action one is undertaking, from walking to washing the windows to being on one's deathbed) is totally complete and whole unto itself, a perfect act, nothing to add or take away, a sacred doing. There is nothing to add nor take away, no place else to be or get to (even as we keep walking cause we need to get to the meeting, or washing as the windows need a cleaning, or taking our medicine to avoid that deathbed as long as possible).

That is a little bit more subtle than simply being aware and present in the moment, if you ask me.

If you are not clear on this "whole and complete doing, each step a total arrival, sacred" aspect of Shikantaza, please watch the new Beginners series.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?121-A-SERIES-OF-TALKS-FOR-NEW-FOLKS-%28NEW%29

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Jakuden]

This was also a little confusing for me when I first joined Treeleaf. It took a while to get sorted out the difference between "mindfulness" and Zazen on the cushion. Now I do both, but do not confuse one with the other. I find that the discipline of sitting, especially when combined with a little ritual like chanting or donning the rakusu, develops a concentration and focus that puts the ego in its place--the small self that is clamoring to be driving, or doing, or talking, or thinking. Mindfulness "feels good" but does not necessarily put you in that place where no mind and no self exists. I still practice mindfulness, but try not to deceive myself about whether I am really practicing, or just letting my small self do what it wants to do and calling it practice.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday... in the parking lot before work

[Martpr72]

I will tell you my own rule of thumb. If one feels that there are thoughts and events happening, yet it feels as if a light shines through, that they are present yet do not bind, there yet not there, just what they are, not really pulling one in, not tangling us up, somehow okay ... then I believe you will know for yourself.

That took a few readings... but I think I see!

Thank you so much everyone. I'm always amazed at the speed and quality of responses I receive on this forum - from such a truly great community and sangha.

Andoitz - I pretty much think you've hit the nail on the head as to where my mind was going

Marcos - thank you, your words also have struck a chord and I will look for that book.

Gassho
Mart
Sat2Day

[Kyosei]

Thanks everyone. I think I am on the right track but am wondering if thoughts wandering are more acceptable in these situations.

For instance, if sitting on a train... 'There's a woman over there, look at her big coat. She's sitting next to a man with a black coat.' I'd take that as being in the moment and just moving from thought to thought. So it's not the same as 'look at that woman over there. I wonder where she works. There's a man next to her. Are they married? He looks too young for her... Etc etc'.... Which is bringing judgement in to play.

So is the first example letting go and just being in the moment?

Does that make sense? I know I'm being rather analytical... Which probably highlights why I find it hard to let go when not on the cushion! [emoji23]

Gassho
Mart
[emoji120]


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Hi Mart,

I think so, something like that. That's the way I practice, I mean. But instead of "oh, that woman has a big coat" kind of thought, I just avoid conceptualizing, rather I try to live the direct experience of the moment, not a "woman", nor a "coat" neither "big"; When I start to "rationalize" I just "let it go" (as we do to "thoughts" that arise during Zazen) and return to the immediate experience. Sometimes it seems to me a kind of effort; but I am beginning to realize that the daily practice of Shikantaza puts me in that state naturally, though some days are just ordinary, full of thoughts, worries, etc. I guess through little steps someday we'll realize this presence some more.

By the way, I remembered a book I like very much from Thich Nhat Hahn, in english is called "The Miracle Of Mindfullness". It exemplifies this mental attitude through some stories. A good book for me.

I'd like to remember you that I am just a student here, so take that as my opinions and personal experience on the subject. I know there is lots of people here so much more experienced in realizing the dharma here.

Gassho

Marcos

#SatToday

[Jundo]

[Taiyo]

In my opinion, your train situation is comparable to sitting Zazen and noticing your knee hurts a little and accepting is vs thinking "my knee hurts, it sucks, what if it still hurts after I get up from my zafu? I might have to go to the doctor, what if there's something wrong with it and it needs surgery?..."

I don't think this "train Zazen" means you need to go blind and stop seeing what's around you, far from it. It's about being aware of it and embracing it as perfect just the way it is. No other place to be in that moment but sitting in that train, with no other people to see in front of you but that man in his black coat and that woman in her big one.

Of course, I could be completely wrong

Gassho,
Andoitz.

SatToday.

[Jundo]

For instance, if sitting on a train... 'There's a woman over there, look at her big coat. She's sitting next to a man with a black coat.' I'd take that as being in the moment and just moving from thought to thought. So it's not the same as 'look at that woman over there. I wonder where she works. There's a man next to her. Are they married? He looks too young for her... Etc etc'.... Which is bringing judgement in to play.

I will tell you my own rule of thumb. If one feels that there are thoughts and events happening, yet it feels as if a light shines through, that they are present yet do not bind, there yet not there, just what they are, not really pulling one in, not tangling us up, somehow okay ... then I believe you will know for yourself.

A couple of years ago I read a little book named "Hua-t'ou: A Method of Zen Meditation" by Stuart Lachs. I was so absrobed by the idea of this practice that I began raising my hua-t'ou wherever I found it possible including driving, until, one day I missed the red light a little (it took a sec as usually) and almost hit the back of a guy in front of me.

Ah, literally seeking to experience "all thing are one" as two physical object occupy the same space.

Thank you. You have proven my contention that Shikantaza is safer than the Koan Introspection method. No need for seatbelts on the Zafu, it already looks like an airbag.

Gassho, J

SatToday (also Zazened all around town a few times)