In my solo practice, I've tried a variety of ways to mark the time.
Most recently, I've used the Lesson One guided meditation from the Insight Meditation correspondence course (about 45 minutes, with non-intrusive comments from the instructor here and there), a meditation timer app for my Treo with various appropriate sounds at certain times I programmed, and this evening tried the Treeleaf Zendo downloadable timer.
The guided meditation and Treeleaf Zendo timer are both downloaded to my Zune (an mp3 player). With noise-canceling headphones, I can more or less block out the world with this method, which isn't quite like being in the zendo and introduces weird side-effects like hearing internal body noises like breathing more intimately than you ever really asked for. But the noise-canceling headphones are optional, and your mileage may vary with this option anyway.
After the final bowl ringing, the Treeleaf Zendo timer has a female voice saying, "Thank you for sitting with the Treeleaf Zendo, a Soto sangha, Jendo Cohen, teacher," and provides musical credits, the website URL, etc. It's a little odd, but can be easily enough avoided by stopping the track when you're done.
The guided meditation is broken into a few discrete tracks, so once you know which one(s) you want to sit through, you can just make a playlist and get sitting.
Of them all, I find my Treo app to be the most universally useful. I currently have it set to signal me through a 60-minute session of zazen and kinhin (with no special need to signal sanpai, as it simply takes place as the final activity).
There's something to be said for the guided meditation approach, though. A well-trained teacher interjects in a manner intended to help one get through a sitting session, which can be useful.
And as anyone with an mp3 player or sound-enabled computer can play mp3s, the Treeleaf Zendo provides a no-cost, perfectly good option.
There are lots of meditation timers online and even physical devices that ring chimes & such, but these are a few I've tried recently and found satisfactory.
Audio Dharma has one I haven't tried in actual sitting practice, but downloaded & checked for any obvious quirks. I found none. These are also free of charge mp3s. Audio Dharma Meditation Timer
Sunday, May 10, 2009
value of group sitting
One of the absolute newcomers to last weekend's workshop arrived early this morning, received some tutoring on dojo etiquette, and joined us for the first sitting and kinhin (almost half of our full session). I'm glad that our format enables people to fully participate without having to endure marathon events while getting their feet wet.
Another gentleman who's been participating in regular practice with the group for about three months referred to himself as a newcomer, somewhat in comparison to me. This got my mental gears turning a bit, as I've only been practicing regularly with the group for a rather short time. So I think of myself as the newcomer, despite how long ago I began practicing.
There's a meaningful difference between regularly practicing a specific tradition with a group and practicing alone without such ties. Personally, I place some value on the three months he's practiced with the group, and have been doing the same here lately myself.
Aside from the consistency of routine, group practice raises the bar on everything from punctuality to excessive fidgeting. When sitting with the group, one's respect for the practice environment of others may help cultivate healthy behavior about which one may tend to be more lax when practicing alone.
Besides, when practicing solo, where do you turn when you have a question?
Another gentleman who's been participating in regular practice with the group for about three months referred to himself as a newcomer, somewhat in comparison to me. This got my mental gears turning a bit, as I've only been practicing regularly with the group for a rather short time. So I think of myself as the newcomer, despite how long ago I began practicing.
There's a meaningful difference between regularly practicing a specific tradition with a group and practicing alone without such ties. Personally, I place some value on the three months he's practiced with the group, and have been doing the same here lately myself.
Aside from the consistency of routine, group practice raises the bar on everything from punctuality to excessive fidgeting. When sitting with the group, one's respect for the practice environment of others may help cultivate healthy behavior about which one may tend to be more lax when practicing alone.
Besides, when practicing solo, where do you turn when you have a question?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
diving into intensive practice
Of the various newcomers who attended the Intro to Zen Workshop and then participated in sesshin the following day, only one came to the much less intensive weekday practice this week.
It's too soon to tell if any of the others will show up for some of our other meetings, as 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday can actually be a formidable scheduling hurdle. I wonder if we'll see any semi-fresh faces at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday session.
Hopefully sesshin didn't just plain wear anyone out. I worked my way up to intensive practice gradually over months when I first started mindfulness practice.
Some times it seems easier, and some times it seems harder. Earlier this week I tried breath counting, which I hadn't done in years, and counted 83 out breaths before becoming meaningfully distracted. Then my concentration waned, and just minding my breath at all was like stargazing on a partly cloudy night. I could see just fine for a time, then the view would be obstructed.
I hope those newly introduced to zazen practice give it more than just one shot and get to see clear skies. In zazen, even the clouds provide opportunities to return again and again to the awesome views that await anyone patient enough to wait for obstructions to run their course and glide away.
It's too soon to tell if any of the others will show up for some of our other meetings, as 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday can actually be a formidable scheduling hurdle. I wonder if we'll see any semi-fresh faces at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday session.
Hopefully sesshin didn't just plain wear anyone out. I worked my way up to intensive practice gradually over months when I first started mindfulness practice.
Some times it seems easier, and some times it seems harder. Earlier this week I tried breath counting, which I hadn't done in years, and counted 83 out breaths before becoming meaningfully distracted. Then my concentration waned, and just minding my breath at all was like stargazing on a partly cloudy night. I could see just fine for a time, then the view would be obstructed.
I hope those newly introduced to zazen practice give it more than just one shot and get to see clear skies. In zazen, even the clouds provide opportunities to return again and again to the awesome views that await anyone patient enough to wait for obstructions to run their course and glide away.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
nice new practice space
The house I just bought came with what the seller's realtor called a "great room" and I would typically call a living room. It's now a zendo, so I have plenty of space in which to practice.
This isn't the whole room, but it's what I'm using for my main practice space so far:
I have a meditation timer app on my Treo that makes clapper and bowl sounds to mark time for me.
After a bowl of matcha, this morning's routine was 25 minutes of zazen and sanpai (three full prostrations), which is a good, brief routine.
I've got it set for 25 minutes of zazen, 10 minutes of kinhin, then 25 more minutes of zazen, so for the short routine I just performed sampai instead of the kinhin.
This isn't the whole room, but it's what I'm using for my main practice space so far:
 |
| From dharma |
I have a meditation timer app on my Treo that makes clapper and bowl sounds to mark time for me.
After a bowl of matcha, this morning's routine was 25 minutes of zazen and sanpai (three full prostrations), which is a good, brief routine.
I've got it set for 25 minutes of zazen, 10 minutes of kinhin, then 25 more minutes of zazen, so for the short routine I just performed sampai instead of the kinhin.
Monday, May 4, 2009
a few thoughts the day after sesshin
Having seen people pull it off now, I can say that it is possible to fully participate in sesshin with no prior experience in the practice (however challenging one may find it). But there's something to be said for preparation.
I've been sitting for years, and found sitting for even very short periods challenging at first. I'm not sure whether it had been weeks or months into my practice that I participated in my first "Day of Zen" (quite similar to yesterday's sesshin). I do recall that during those days, a half-hour sit could feel HARD by half-way in, and am sure that the Day of Zen was something of an endurance exercise for me.
But the body adapts quickly enough, particularly with the aid of a competent teacher. So suggestion number one is to have a teacher or very experienced student help you get over the fear of sitting on the zafu and find a few sitting postures you will find fairly comfortable. This is helpful even if you do not participate in long sitting sessions, as even a ten-minute sit will benefit from a posture that doesn't lend itself to intense discomfort.
I also think there's something to be said for having a change of clothes handy for samu (work practice), and maybe even a gym towel. That way you're not sitting in the dojo covered in sweat. This wasn't technically a problem for me yesterday, but my damp shirt in the chilly air was a cause of concern for the host. And part of practice with sangha is to act in such a manner that you do not bring disturbance to others.
I also noted later in the day that things would have been simpler for me if I'd had some sandal-type shoes to put on at various times. This was actually suggested prior to the event, but I simply do not own any.
During extended sitting, the body will require some attendance. Your feet may fall asleep, joints and muscles can protest, not to mention sniffles, itches, etc.
No body has ever, to my knowledge, died of an itchy nose during zazen, so I'd say just be aware of your annoyance until it and/or the itch passes. But if your body position is cutting off blood to your right foot (a common problem with me), try to change quietly to a secondary position for a while, as this is a legitimate body need.
If you experience genuine PAIN, attend to it. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something's outside normal operating parameters, and zen practice is not about harming yourself.
Maintain an attitude of poise as best you can. When you screw up, which is particularly common in the early learning experience, mental self-abuse is not a helpful response. As needed, look to experienced practitioners in the room and follow their lead. When in doubt, gassho and try not to literally slam into anyone.
I've been sitting for years, and found sitting for even very short periods challenging at first. I'm not sure whether it had been weeks or months into my practice that I participated in my first "Day of Zen" (quite similar to yesterday's sesshin). I do recall that during those days, a half-hour sit could feel HARD by half-way in, and am sure that the Day of Zen was something of an endurance exercise for me.
But the body adapts quickly enough, particularly with the aid of a competent teacher. So suggestion number one is to have a teacher or very experienced student help you get over the fear of sitting on the zafu and find a few sitting postures you will find fairly comfortable. This is helpful even if you do not participate in long sitting sessions, as even a ten-minute sit will benefit from a posture that doesn't lend itself to intense discomfort.
I also think there's something to be said for having a change of clothes handy for samu (work practice), and maybe even a gym towel. That way you're not sitting in the dojo covered in sweat. This wasn't technically a problem for me yesterday, but my damp shirt in the chilly air was a cause of concern for the host. And part of practice with sangha is to act in such a manner that you do not bring disturbance to others.
I also noted later in the day that things would have been simpler for me if I'd had some sandal-type shoes to put on at various times. This was actually suggested prior to the event, but I simply do not own any.
During extended sitting, the body will require some attendance. Your feet may fall asleep, joints and muscles can protest, not to mention sniffles, itches, etc.
No body has ever, to my knowledge, died of an itchy nose during zazen, so I'd say just be aware of your annoyance until it and/or the itch passes. But if your body position is cutting off blood to your right foot (a common problem with me), try to change quietly to a secondary position for a while, as this is a legitimate body need.
If you experience genuine PAIN, attend to it. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something's outside normal operating parameters, and zen practice is not about harming yourself.
Maintain an attitude of poise as best you can. When you screw up, which is particularly common in the early learning experience, mental self-abuse is not a helpful response. As needed, look to experienced practitioners in the room and follow their lead. When in doubt, gassho and try not to literally slam into anyone.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
half-day sesshin
I was a few minutes late this morning for the half-day sesshin starting at 7 a.m. I experienced more clock weirdness, so I had to choose between a bowl of matcha or punctuality.
So I made my matcha, and arrived at the dojo during what sounded like the incense ceremony (meaning I was just barely late). So I sat in seiza on the porch outside the dojo so as not to interrupt the first zazen period.
Note: Sitting in seiza on bare wood is a noticeably different experience from sitting on a relatively comfy zabuton.
What must've been about half an hour later, someone opened the door and I entered to join in kinhin. For the next several hours we practiced zazen, kinhin, samu, just a little liturgical ceremony, and mondo (question/answer). Zazen was the main practice, and samu was for a few hours following a (simplified oryoki) breakfast of genmai and tea (not to be confused with the tea genmai cha, which I also happen to enjoy).
Noble Silence was broken for a tasty lunch and plenty of conversation ranging from the serious to the outright zany.
I am quite impressed with the newcomers to zen who stuck it out through several hours of what must have been very challenging effort. When I started doing this a little over a decade back, I weaned myself onto it gently enough for the most part, with sitting sessions ranging from ten minutes to an hour. These were some real troopers!
I intend to participate with this sangha regularly.
I feel that this group and tradition are both well-suited to me in a variety of ways. I believe this will prove the case over time and will support my home practice considerably.
So I made my matcha, and arrived at the dojo during what sounded like the incense ceremony (meaning I was just barely late). So I sat in seiza on the porch outside the dojo so as not to interrupt the first zazen period.
Note: Sitting in seiza on bare wood is a noticeably different experience from sitting on a relatively comfy zabuton.
What must've been about half an hour later, someone opened the door and I entered to join in kinhin. For the next several hours we practiced zazen, kinhin, samu, just a little liturgical ceremony, and mondo (question/answer). Zazen was the main practice, and samu was for a few hours following a (simplified oryoki) breakfast of genmai and tea (not to be confused with the tea genmai cha, which I also happen to enjoy).
Noble Silence was broken for a tasty lunch and plenty of conversation ranging from the serious to the outright zany.
I am quite impressed with the newcomers to zen who stuck it out through several hours of what must have been very challenging effort. When I started doing this a little over a decade back, I weaned myself onto it gently enough for the most part, with sitting sessions ranging from ten minutes to an hour. These were some real troopers!
I intend to participate with this sangha regularly.
I feel that this group and tradition are both well-suited to me in a variety of ways. I believe this will prove the case over time and will support my home practice considerably.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Introduction to Zen Workshop
Today was the workshop, and like every other Intro to Zen Workshop, it was unlike every other Intro to Zen Workshop. heh
The dojo was really packed with people, and I get the impression that the sesshin will also be at or near capacity tomorrow.
This workshop was unique in my experience if only because of the sheer volume of lecture material presented. I've always found them to be quite practice-focused.
When I first arrived (nearly half an hour late due to complications from the moving process), I sat in a chair, as it was the seat nearest the entrance. At first break I made the move to something more to my liking so I could sit in seiza posture with alternating periods of a modified half lotus for maximum comfort.
Chairs were commonly in use at the beginning of the day, but by the end of the workshop, everyone who had stuck around to the end (nearly everyone) had migrated to zafus and the like.
I am genuinely impressed with the number of people who came to the workshop as their first introduction to Zen but intend to participate in sesshin. Rock on, y'all!
The dojo was really packed with people, and I get the impression that the sesshin will also be at or near capacity tomorrow.
This workshop was unique in my experience if only because of the sheer volume of lecture material presented. I've always found them to be quite practice-focused.
When I first arrived (nearly half an hour late due to complications from the moving process), I sat in a chair, as it was the seat nearest the entrance. At first break I made the move to something more to my liking so I could sit in seiza posture with alternating periods of a modified half lotus for maximum comfort.
Chairs were commonly in use at the beginning of the day, but by the end of the workshop, everyone who had stuck around to the end (nearly everyone) had migrated to zafus and the like.
I am genuinely impressed with the number of people who came to the workshop as their first introduction to Zen but intend to participate in sesshin. Rock on, y'all!
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