Friday, July 06, 2007
Just before zazen this morning, it occurred to me that for so long, I had been taught in the Christian church what to do but the how simply escaped me. I believe that I was my own stumbling block and wasn't ready until recently but also the how wasn't as much part of the teaching as it could have been. I have come to cherish the time I spend in prayer/meditation—and I write it that way, because the words are largely synonymous to me—so let me pass along a little of what I've learned.
Zazen is simple in concept: Find a posture in which breathing is not impeded. Clear the mind of deliberate thought. Keep it clear for the duration.
Doing it is difficult and it's noteworthy that it's always referred to as practice. I am only a beginner.
As for the body, I sit in seiza on a bench or sometimes in Burmese position on a zafu. Tilt the hips slightly forward so that the back is straight as if one is standing erect. In the very beginning, breathing seemed difficult to get right, but it seems to have taken care of itself with practice. Once settled in physically, if desired, breath counting can be used to give focus to keep the mind from wandering quite as much. Count on the exhale up to ten, then start over again at one. Repeat ad infinitum. I sit anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes or so.
For the mind, you can consider thoughts and images as a river. As they arise, simply don't engage them. Let them float away.
Shikantaza is the practice of the group I sit with once a week, but I think I need to go back to breath counting for a while yet to improve my concentration. When my concentration is good, my shikantaza is very satisfying, but I've had troubling keeping my mind still recently. Breath counting can be used to help in that regard.
I first read a book by Osho on Zen—I can't find the link on Amazon for it just now—and decided to give meditation a try. Robert Aitken's Taking the Path of Zen was then recommended and I found it very helpful. Writings on Zen by Thomas Merton and Willigis Jäger give a Christian point of view.
Zazen is simple in concept: Find a posture in which breathing is not impeded. Clear the mind of deliberate thought. Keep it clear for the duration.
Doing it is difficult and it's noteworthy that it's always referred to as practice. I am only a beginner.
As for the body, I sit in seiza on a bench or sometimes in Burmese position on a zafu. Tilt the hips slightly forward so that the back is straight as if one is standing erect. In the very beginning, breathing seemed difficult to get right, but it seems to have taken care of itself with practice. Once settled in physically, if desired, breath counting can be used to give focus to keep the mind from wandering quite as much. Count on the exhale up to ten, then start over again at one. Repeat ad infinitum. I sit anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes or so.
For the mind, you can consider thoughts and images as a river. As they arise, simply don't engage them. Let them float away.
Shikantaza is the practice of the group I sit with once a week, but I think I need to go back to breath counting for a while yet to improve my concentration. When my concentration is good, my shikantaza is very satisfying, but I've had troubling keeping my mind still recently. Breath counting can be used to help in that regard.
I first read a book by Osho on Zen—I can't find the link on Amazon for it just now—and decided to give meditation a try. Robert Aitken's Taking the Path of Zen was then recommended and I found it very helpful. Writings on Zen by Thomas Merton and Willigis Jäger give a Christian point of view.
# posted by goldpython @ 8:11 AM 
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Khan, Sir,
There is another way, another Tao, a road less travelled if you will.
Amazing spiritual insights can be gained by falsifying expense reports regarding bribes paid to Mexican policemen on busses in the middle of nameless deserts.
I know of people who have attempted this discipline. They say it is wonderous indeed.
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There is another way, another Tao, a road less travelled if you will.
Amazing spiritual insights can be gained by falsifying expense reports regarding bribes paid to Mexican policemen on busses in the middle of nameless deserts.
I know of people who have attempted this discipline. They say it is wonderous indeed.
# posted by 
: 2:02 PM
: 2:02 PM 
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