August 10th-11th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai

[Kotei]

Thank you everyone!
Gassho,
Kotei just sat.

[Kyoshin]

My first zazenkai live! Thanks everybody!
Gassho
Nick

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[Tairin]

Thank you everyone! I’ve missed 2 of the last 3 Zazenkai due to summertime travels so it was nice to sit with you all again.


Tairin
Sat today and about to LAH

[Washin]

Thank you everyone.

Gassho
Washin
justsat

[Seishin]

Thank you all, sat over last two mornings.

[Meitou]

Thank you everyone, thank you especially Jundo for some timely words about Kinhin. I have some difficulties with walking meditation, it frequently happens that I have to put a lot of conscious effort into finding a comfortable pace and rhythm - I don't seem to be able to co-ordinate the breath with the pace. Because of that, there's a lot of mental activity going on and I have a problem dropping the conscious effort. Any advice would be appreciated.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/ lah

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone, thank you especially Jundo for some timely words about Kinhin. I have some difficulties with walking meditation, it frequently happens that I have to put a lot of conscious effort into finding a comfortable pace and rhythm - I don't seem to be able to co-ordinate the breath with the pace. Because of that, there's a lot of mental activity going on and I have a problem dropping the conscious effort. Any advice would be appreciated.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/ lah

Hi Meitou

Personally i find Kinhin to be "harder" (whatever that means in this context) than Zazen. I think because I am moving there is more going on. But I wonder if that isn't part of the point. If we are supposed to take our Zazen off the cushion and into our daily lives then Kinhin is a great transition. At least that's my novice opinion.


Tairin
Sat today

[Mp]

I don't seem to be able to co-ordinate the breath with the pace.

Hey Meitou,

Now I am not stealing the lyrics from The Police, as theirs is different =), but have you tried ... Every breath you take to every step you take?

Try breathing in as your back foot is moving to the forward position. Then place the heal down and as you are moving your body forward onto that forward foot, breath out. So in a sense your breathing out, shifting your weight, and finding your balance.

This way each movement leads to the next. Make sense? =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

Thank you everyone, thank you especially Jundo for some timely words about Kinhin. I have some difficulties with walking meditation, it frequently happens that I have to put a lot of conscious effort into finding a comfortable pace and rhythm - I don't seem to be able to co-ordinate the breath with the pace. Because of that, there's a lot of mental activity going on and I have a problem dropping the conscious effort. Any advice would be appreciated.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/ lah

It may be one of those things where, because you are too concerned to "do it right," it becomes hard. I think you are "trying" to do something, and all it is is to take a breath and step ahead. So, Shingen's way is great (what I usually do), but you can be less formal and patterned too, as you like too (I often do that too). After all, you breathe all day (I hope). You walk every day. Hopefully, you breathe and walk every day. There is no trick to this, no right form or mechanism. Very simple:

Just breathe normally (although, we do encourage nice breaths from down in the diaphram, do what you can).

About the time the breath hits the top of the inhalation, take half a step.

That's it. You are now a Kinhin master. No need to stress it or try for a certain rhythm. Just relax and keep moving as if in the ticket line at the movies.

Of course, we hold our hands in Shashu because better than sticking them in the pockets. Eyes half open, just like Zazen (good for avoiding bumping into walls and tables too) . Mind, the same equanimity of the mirror, and "don't grab the thoughts" of the sky as seated Zazen. Subtly have trust that each step by step is total arrival in the only place to be in that moment, and this place is complete.

Even a toddler can learn to walk so. You cannot do it wrong.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Meitou]

Thank you all for the great advice. I agree Jundo, this is all about trying to hard, putting in too much effort and perhaps creating problems where non should exist. I don't drive, I walk everywhere, I love walking so..
I have tried the Shingen Method this morning and I can feel that by loosening up a little on the thought process, it will work for me.
Again, thank you all.
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday /walked the walk

[Kokuu]

Lovely, thank you!

I hope you all had a good Obon!

Gassho
Kokuu