Search found 43 matches
- Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:01 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Back problems
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3662
Re: Back problems
Thanks a lot for all your suggestions. To be honest I don't think it's my back itself that is the root problem. My back feels fine the majority of the time, but after 20 minutes of sitting in Zazen my muscles really start to ache. I think it's more of a mental issue. I suffer with anxiety and depres...
- Mon Oct 06, 2014 1:31 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Back problems
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3662
Re: Back problems
Cushion, I sit in the Burmese position. My pain is the mid back area. The muscles really tighten and twist there.
- Mon Oct 06, 2014 1:04 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Back problems
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3662
Back problems
I've never had the greatest posture in the world and one of the reasons why I haven't been that consistent with going to the zendo is because an hour's sitting is almost torturous for me. I can't even imagine what it would be like to do a whole sesshin, now that would be torture. My teacher has rece...
- Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:58 pm
- Forum: Soto
- Topic: To breath or not to breath
- Replies: 32
- Views: 11797
Re: To breath or not to breath
The title of this thread was a play on words and done with a hint of irony. I find it amusing that many people think I am suggesting that in Shikantaza we stop breathing altogether. To breath or not to breath is meant to mean, to concentrate on the breath or not concentrate on the breath. Whether we...
- Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:41 pm
- Forum: Soto
- Topic: How do I know when to start shikantaza?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3792
Re: How do I know when to start shikantaza?
There are no stages in Soto Zen
- Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:54 pm
- Forum: Creative Writing
- Topic: Greg's songs
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1433
Re: Greg's songs
The Man who wont stop smiling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydW0a6 ... 8OOGXZanXQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydW0a6 ... 8OOGXZanXQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Mon Sep 22, 2014 1:19 am
- Forum: Creative Writing
- Topic: Greg's songs
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1433
Greg's songs
I've always dreamed for a Grapefruit girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsUQT4y ... 8OOGXZanXQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsUQT4y ... 8OOGXZanXQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:39 am
- Forum: Soto
- Topic: To breath or not to breath
- Replies: 32
- Views: 11797
To breath or not to breath
"During Zazen our mind always follows our breathing." Suzuki Roshi "The practice of true reality is simply to sit serenely in silent introspection." Hongzhi "Concentrate on posture and breathing." Taisen Deshimaru "Do nothing at all, this is the way to study Zen.&q...
- Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:36 pm
- Forum: Meditation
- Topic: Meditation and your breath
- Replies: 21
- Views: 7236
Re: Meditation and your breath
From a Soto Zen perspective you should not try and control anything, including breath, thoughts, sensations, sounds, etc. Ironically when I don't worry about focusing on my breath I find it it easier to BE with the breath and allow it to flow naturally. The moment I try and manipulate the breathing ...
- Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:11 pm
- Forum: Lounge
- Topic: The six realms of existence
- Replies: 0
- Views: 622
The six realms of existence
I've started a little musical project based around the six realms of existence. I hope to get these songs properly recorded and made into an EP. Feel free to listen to one of these, perhaps all of them if you are feeling brave ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsldeBt8iu0 In the realm of Hell http:/...
- Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:31 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Shikantaza
- Replies: 39
- Views: 8660
Re: Shikantaza
Do any of you Anapanasati as well as Shikantaza? Or does that just bring with it idealistic ideas?
- Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:56 pm
- Forum: Lounge
- Topic: I love those who hate me
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1032
- Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:00 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Shikantaza
- Replies: 39
- Views: 8660
Shikantaza
I want to know if you agree with this Priests teaching of Shikantaza? Suzuki Roshi emphasized following the breath, as did Deshimaru (From the lineage I follow), Yet I prefer this priests teaching of Shikantaza.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suD57Mb6gOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suD57Mb6gOw
- Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:36 am
- Forum: Zen
- Topic: Does zen believe in pure land of buddhas ?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 5069
Re: Does zen believe in pure land of buddhas ?
Belief in any state after death is not a requirement in Zen, belief in general is not a requirement. Pure lands, Heaven, Hell, hungry ghosts, devas etc. All these realms are here right now, and we pass through them all.
- Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:28 am
- Forum: Meditation
- Topic: Metta chants/Meditation
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1536
Metta chants/Meditation
I practice in the Soto Zen tradition and they never do metta chants/Meditations. However I want to incorporate it into my daily practice at home, obviously not at the dojo. I like doing this as I feel it brings me out of myself and gives me a sense of compassion and interest in others. Due to my dep...
- Sat May 25, 2013 2:34 am
- Forum: Meditation
- Topic: closed eyes vs. opened eyes
- Replies: 21
- Views: 6753
Re: closed eyes vs. opened eyes
Eyes closed feels nicer, but at the same time it's much easier to daydream or fall asleep. I do Zazen and eyes are kept open, but cast downwards. It's not about trying to calm oneself or stop thinking, but to allow the mind to obtain it's natural state by itself. Just allowing thoughts to come and g...
- Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:05 pm
- Forum: Meditation
- Topic: Eye strain
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1523
Eye strain
I practice in the Soto tradition, facing the wall while meditating. I'm always told to not focus too much on the wall, but it seems to be second nature. I start staring hard then get real eye strain at the end. I don't know if there's any exercising a person can do with the eyes to make them more re...
- Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:20 pm
- Forum: Pure Land
- Topic: First time
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2758
Re: First time
It's a Japanese temple called three wheels, and it is Shin Buddhist centre.
- Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:07 pm
- Forum: Pure Land
- Topic: First time
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2758
First time
I'm going to a Pure land Temple tonight for the first time. What can I expect? I've practiced in Soto Zen before. Is the meditation practice similar? I know there's a lot more chanting.
- Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Forum: Lounge
- Topic: Song about Rebirth
- Replies: 1
- Views: 938