Bill!, So it's safe to say you have no attacments to where or how you sit, other than what is comfortable at that particular time? Same with the jhanas. They take you deeper into your meditation and help to make the session last longer (much like discovering a zafu that fits your bum correctly ;) But they are not essential. There are warnings aplenty in the literature I've read against becoming attached to them just like anything else (at the risk of becoming a 'bliss-bunny').
I usually time my sittings between 40-60 mins depending on how busy I am. If I have time I'll do this twice a day, but at least once in the evening. I usually sit cross-legged, but will sometimes sit Burmese style. If I'm feeling that the session is going well (in a vipassana sense), but the pain is becoming too distracting, then I'll stay mindful of my movements, but change to a more comfortable position. However, the 40-60 min session is usually done with no movement or changing of position whatsoever (I wasn't kidding when I said vipassana is the SAS of meditation sessions!). Mike ________________________________ From: Bill! <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 16:08 Subject: Re: [Zen] Zen, zen and Theravada Buddhism Mike, At home I have a zafu and zabuton. My zafu is x-large to accomodate my x-large butt. I sit cross-legged now. I used to sit in a half-lotus but never could really manage a full-lotus. I eventually found the half-lotus to put me into a little bit of a tilt so I now just sit cross-legged, and switch the top and bottom leg occasionally when I remember to do so. I usually sit for 3-consequtive 20-minute periods with a 5-minute break in between to get up and stretch, walk around or go to the toliet. When I travel I just stuff a pillow between my legs and sit in a kneeling position; or if that doesn't work I just sit on a firm chair (wood is best), sitting on the front edge with my back straight and not leaning against the chair. How about you? ...Bill! --- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: > > Bill!, > > >or (IMO) ATTACHMENT to jhanas. > > Do you usually use a zafu/mat etc. to sit zazen, or do you just sit wherever? > > Mike >
