March 29th-30th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - Remember Daylight Savings!

[Onkai]

Thank you, Jundo, Shingen, and everyone. It is always wonderful to practice with a zazenkai. Have a great weekend!

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/LAH

[Beakon]

Question of the Week: Does it take energy to meditate? I've been going through a streak of meditations where I want to fall asleep after the bell rings on my meditation timer.

Thank you for the Zazenkai, that was a long night, but I was determined to make it. You wouldn't notice if I was late, because Google Hangouts was broken. I rushed home from Safeway to get to Zazenkai on time. I missed the bus, which resulted in getting in late. I did the "bodhisattva way", taken care of the animals first, despite wanting to take off my jacket and shoes. Pet's tend to slow us down, and help us enjoy life in the present moment. So, I stood in front of the Buddha statue eating a carrot mindfully, then went back to housework. I still made it!

Looking forward to Shingens talk next week for our 4-Hour Zazenkai.

Gassho,

Sean C.T.

Sat/LaH

[Jundo]

Question of the Week: Does it take energy to meditate? I've been going through a streak of meditations where I want to fall asleep after the bell rings on my meditation timer.

Thank you for the Zazenkai, that was a long night, but I was determined to make it. You wouldn't notice if I was late, because Google Hangouts was broken. I rushed home from Safeway to get to Zazenkai on time. I missed the bus, which resulted in getting in late. I did the "bodhisattva way", taken care of the animals first, despite wanting to take off my jacket and shoes. Pet's tend to slow us down, and help us enjoy life in the present moment. So, I stood in front of the Buddha statue eating a carrot mindfully, then went back to housework. I still made it!

Looking forward to Shingens talk next week for our 4-Hour Zazenkai.

Gassho,

Sean C.T.

Sat/LaH

Hi Sean,

I like your Bodhisattva Way of feeding the animals first.

Yes, it is best not to sleep during Zazen if possible. You seem to be tired. Zazen relaxes us to that peaceful border between wakefulness and sleep, so it is easy to slip over. This is why Zen monks have always had a love affair with tea and caffeine (I am coffee).

Even in Keizan's day back in the 14th Century, this was an issue. Some of his recommendations when tired ...

Although we should not be anxious about bodily life, insufficient clothing, insufficient food, and insufficient sleep are called the three insufficiencies and will cause our practice to suffer.

... If dullness or sleepiness overcome your sitting, move the body and open the eyes wider, or place attention above the hairline or between your eyebrows. If you are still not fresh, rub the eyes or the body. If that still doesn't wake you, stand up and walk, always clockwise. Once you've gone about a hundred steps you probably won't be sleepy any longer. The way to walk is to take a half step with each breath. Walk without walking, silent and unmoving [i.e., kinhin].

If you still don't feel fresh after doing kinhin, wash your eyes and forehead with cold water. Or chant the "Three Pure Precepts of the Bodhisattvas". Do something; don't just fall asleep. You should be aware of the great matter of birth and death and the swiftness of impermanence. What are you doing sleeping when your eye of the way is still clouded? If dullness and sinking arise repeatedly you should chant, "Habituality is deeply rooted and so I am wrapped in dullness. When will dullness disperse? May the compassion of the buddhas and patriarchs lift this darkness and misery."
http://antaiji.org/archives/eng/zzyk.shtml

Gassho, j

STLah

[Beakon]

March 29th-30th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - Remember Daylight Savings!

Thank you, Jundo. I've been having a hard time, but this confirms what I've been contemplating. He was right in practicing kinhin, because it's effective in creating wakefulness. Is there anything we should do before shikantaza to improve wakefulness?

I'm doing a daily ritual where I make a "sleep sanctuary" to improve sleep quality. It's impressive how meditation practice improves upon stress management and learning about wakefulness.

Now I want to do kinhin counter clock-wise!



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[Jundo]

Well, can't wack yourself with a Kyosaku stick, so Kannon will help you ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTY-ga49EG0

[Kakunen]

I sat on one way in train.

Thank you very much.

After farming,I need to go ceremony at Tokyo.

Suddenly.





Sometimes life is busy but stay calm.

Gassho
Sat today
Kakunen


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[newby_x86]

Thank you for the zazenkai, have a great weekend!

Anant
SaT

[Victor]

I was able to attend for the first time last night! I will have to review your links above to familiarize myself with the chants and the bows, but it was nice.

The zazenkai was difficult for me, but absolutely worth it. My mind was so filled with clutter that I wasn't able to fully release. Or perhaps I did, but it was persistent. I also had issues with trying to fall asleep.

I have noticed that if miss a day or two of zazen, my next sit tends to be like this. Unfortunately I had just put my daughter to bed when zazenkai started, so I had no time for tea. Next time I think I might make it, I'll be sure to have tea ready ahead of time!

I must say, as a beginner, that I never thought that zazen could feel like a workout until last night!

[Jakuden]

Couldn’t stay awake to sit live last night, but sat with you all this morning. Thank you [emoji120]

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Mp]

The zazenkai was difficult for me, but absolutely worth it. My mind was so filled with clutter that I wasn't able to fully release. Or perhaps I did, but it was persistent. I also had issues with trying to fall asleep.

When the mind is busy, allow it is be busy and just sit. When the mind is clear, allow the mind to be clear and just sit. When sitting we just sit not searching for or pushing away any other state then the one that is right there. The great thing about this practice is those states continue to come and go naturally on their own, we are just not affected by them. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Victor]

Thank you so much Shingen! Perhaps I just took the bit about turning our attention back the wrong way and was striving too much. I will continue to sit and do my best not to try too hard haha
Gassho

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone. I sat with you this rainy afternoon.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Beakon]

Hey Victor! Welcome to our Zazenkai, where we dance the hoki poki sometimes and have feelings of interconnectedness. Yes, the Zazenkai is hard, yeah? Aight. You deserve an ole' pat on the back for trying. You must feel very proud of yourself for trying something that is difficult. Like starting all new things (playing guitar, starting a relationship, learning a new job, etc) it takes time. You might've heard the saying that goes "the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step". The benefit of doing Zazenkai is you have a support system, like a workout partner, try not to imagine Buddha in workout clothing. We are there for you, all of us encourage each other. Also, a great exercise strategy is encouraging others and being a team.

Guys.......

I found a new lunch time gatha...

https://youtu.be/YpDRl2uD3_c

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[Seishin]

Sat "Part 1" Saturday morning, the start of my 64th solar orbit. Finished this morning, on demand as usual. That's this Zazenkai not a quick whizz around the Sun. Thank you all.

[M.C. Easton]

Thank you all for this zazenkai. Just finished sitting late tonight.

Welcome to Treeleaf, Victor! I often feel like zazenkai is an endurance sport, too. You are not alone. :-)

Gassho,
Melanie
SatToday/LAH