It took me aback at first about how super punctual the sanghas are - if they say 5:45 you are late at 5:46. A distinct difference from the normal time of either my programming life or my child rearing life (well,like organized schooling but unlike a typical day visiting museums and riding the train and eating food and playing and talking).
Thanks, Chris Austin-Lane Sent from a cell phone On Dec 8, 2012, at 5:28, Edgar Owen <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Joe, > > Somehow I find it laughable that there is no Zen without watches! Or that Zen > practice needs any kind of technological crutch at all.. > > Did Buddha wear a Rolex? Do you lose your Buddha Nature if you forget your > watch? > :-) > > Edgar > > > > On Dec 7, 2012, at 7:14 PM, Joe wrote: > >> Edgar, >> >> I don't time my tooth-brushing; but some people's electric brushes turn off >> after 3 minutes, by design. I don't know if that's contrary to the essence >> of Zen, or if there is any such essence, or of hygiene, but I think it's >> something to do with the ADA, the American Dental Association. >> >> At different practice centers, standard timed lengths of sits are the norm. >> At most places, the timing is scrupulous. The reason is to keep from >> frightening practitioners, even well-established ones: if they know the >> period is to be 45 minutes, then let it be 45. If 30, then 30. If 25, then >> 25 minutes. >> >> I once had a teacher tell me that he has "25-minute knees". >> >> Anyway, you know already that Kinhin between sits is not a "break" for the >> legs (although it IS); it is just one of the many practices worked out in >> the Zen tradition over centuries to help us to bring samadhi off the cushion >> and into activity. So is Samu (work-practice), Dokusan, Oriyoki, >> Dharma-Combat, Teisho, Bowing (prostrations), Chanting, etc., etc. A neat >> program, honed over centuries by geniuses of wisdom, experience, and >> compassion. >> >> Timing is *crucial* in monastic centers, and all lay places, too. There are >> TWO temples which must be in-synch at ALL times: 1.) the Ch'an Hall; and 2.) >> the Kitchen. >> >> And, 3.), the Teacher. ;-) >> >> Anybody who has been an officer/leader of any kind on Sesshin, and not >> merely a temple-tourist, knows this, and has worked hard to make it so, >> while taking care of and settling into one's own practice at the same "time". >> >> Not everything on 7-day sesshin happens by Magic. You might be surprised at >> what goes into it, to make it flow smoothly for all. Or, you know, if you've >> been a leader/officer. >> >> --Joe >> >> PS Rohatsu ends tomorrow, and *IS* tomorrow. At least on the Gregorian >> (Christian, Western) calendar. Many happy people will stream from sesshin. >> >> > Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote: >> > >> > Chris, >> > >> > I use nothing. I don't time my Zen... To me that's contrary to the essence >> > of Zen... >> > > > > >
