Hi Allen, I recall that you have practiced martial arts before. If so, try to focus your Chi on the areas that are numb or in pain. You shall recover sooner from their blockage.
In the Chan sense, when you focus on the Chi, you are in essence by-passing your ego, you shall also "feel" less discomfort. After you mastered all Ten Dharma Wheels and Three Chi Channels, none of this will occur. _/\_ Donald Phillip Rogers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Thanks for the encouragment Bill. I have a strong tendency to be too hard on myself and I end up discouraging myself. I will go easier. Thanks alot. Peace, Allen Bill Smart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Allen, It sounds like you did very well. Your body and your mind are not separate. Just as you sit to quiet-down your mind, you also sit to relax your body; both are one. As you continue sitting these things will happen naturally and will not need to be forced. However, this is not medieval Japan with its macho culture. That culture has nothing to do with zen, or at least is not the only, or even the most effective way to express zen in your life. My advice is to be easy on yourself. A little discomfort is okay. New things are usually uncomfortable at first for both your mind and your body, but pain is unnecessary. Pain is your body telling you something is wrong. Listen to your body and honor its warnings. Be especially careful of your legs and back. When you start lifting weights you can overdo it and pull a muscle or tendon. If you do you cannot continue lifting weights until your body repairs itself. You should also start sitting gently. If your leg falls asleep, stretch it out. Next session reverse your legs instead of right over left try left over right. Sit on a sitting stool or even a chair if necessary. Above all be careful of your knees, especially if youre trying to sit in full or even half lotus. Go slow. Youve got no where to go anyway. All you need to do is to realize youre already there. Bill! Allen wrote: I attended my first Zen sitting this Sunday in Charlotte, NC. I could not keep concentration, my right leg fell completely asleep, my arms and back started to give me a fit and my butt ended up killing me. I could not remember when to gasho or how to effectivly do Kinhin. However, amidst all of that I had a wonderful time. The people were great and nice. We had a very lovely dharma talk. And what is more: when I was most uncomfortable in my sitting I found the strength to continue, even though it was so distracting. I am a real quitter, but the atmosphere and the dedication of the people kept me going. It has truly strengthened me in my endeavor to realize true mind. I look forward to next Sunday's sitting. --------------------------------- Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. --------------------------------- Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Yahoo! Answers. Try it now.