A place to share my experiences in trying to put the dharma into practice in my everyday life.
4 A Future
post by John
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so, i've been trying to figure out for the longest time what to use for my online avatar image. i think i've found it. what do you think?
post by John
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got the cool format from Nicole @ indigosoul and the idea from participation positives. cultivating gratitude for what we are given everyday is very much part of my zen practice. so I thought I'd do my own version as part of my practice today:
post by John
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This just hit me out of the blue this morning: I don't want enlightenment. I just want a life that works to the benefit of all sentient beings and a death without fear.
post by John
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Every night as I wash the dishes at the kitchen sink, I try my best to practice this. Some nights I'm better at it than others. And you know, it's true, when I can keep my attention on the doing rather than the 'getting it done and out of the way', I feel much more satisfied and content.
When you give more attention to the doing then to the future result that you want to achieve through it. You break the old egoic conditioning. Your doing then becomes not only a great deal more effective, but infinitely more fulfilling and joyful.~ Eckhart Tolle
post by John
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Zazen takes place when you stop elbowing the others to get ahead.Indeed! When I sit with a group it is so hard for me to not measure my practice against another's practice. Just being with my practice as it is, this is my intention today.~ Kodo Sawaki Roshi
Some words about the actual practice of shikantaza - just sitting: When we sit in zazen, it is not that there are no thoughts at all appearing in our heads. Actually, a lot of thoughts appear. But if you start to chase those thoughts, then that can't be called zazen anymore. You are just thinking in the sitting posture. It is important for you to realize then that, "I am doing zazen right now, this is not the time for chasing thoughts!" Return to the correct posture, and open the hand of thought again. This is what is called "waking up from distraction and confusion".These words by Uchiyama Roshi are just what I needed to hear. This has been my experience with zazen lately (distraction and confusion, dullness and fatigue) and it's comforting to know that it is completely normal.
Next we might become tired. Now it is time to remind ourselves, "I am doing zazen right now, this is not the time to sleep!" Let's then return to the correct posture, and wake up to zazen. This is what is called "waking up from dullness and fatigue".
Zazen means to wake up from distraction and confusion, dullness and fatigue for a billion times, and return to the wide awake posture of zazen. "Living the raw and fresh life called zazen" means to arouse the mind for a billion times in this fashion, practice and realize it for a billion times: This is what is called shikantaza - just sitting.~ Kosho Uchiyama Roshi (disciple of Kodo Sawaki Roshi)
post by John
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We just do
post by John
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What’s the point of sitting still?Sitting on a zafu facing a blank wall in a formal zazen posture for a period of time at least once a day is the foundation of our practice. From there our practice extends out to include all the other activities of our day. This I know to be true deep down in my heart of hearts.
Well, certainly we all have different answers to such a broad question. I know that when I sit still long enough, eventually I become still. Then I can experience the miracle of my life in a new light. The difference is often so subtle I can barely notice myself becoming softer, more fluid, at ease. Then, without warning, I notice it. I have changed, for the better, and it is not subtle. We all share at least one thing-this life. Sitting still is such a powerful way to slow down enough to really appreciate this amazing opportunity we all share. Please, consider treating yourself to the most precious gift you have- your true-self. I encourage you to make an extra effort in sitting still long enough for your life to find you. There is nothing to lose and nothing to gain, just be here, now.~ Herb Eko Deer, www.swzc.org
post by John
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I am what you would call a classic 'seeker'. Spiritual matters have always been of utmost importance to me. I'm learning to apply this spiritual drive (and it's fruits) to the practicalities of life in hopes of living a life of purpose and meaning. I can take things WAY too seriously sometimes and part of my journey on the path is learning to lighten up and have good time.
