--- In [email protected], "pacucavu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I would like to know something about zazen. When I sit in ful lotus
I
> can last for only 5 minutes because of the pain. I´d like to know if
> this is natural in zazen or if this is because a bad posture in any
> case. Thank you.
Deep bows:
If we were all short,fat,thin,or tall,had exactly the same eyesight or
were in exactly the same state of health, it wold be extraordinarily
easy to teach meditation.However, each one of us is totally
different,and this means that it is impossible to state rules for
sitting that will be exactly the same for everyone.It is important for
the practitioner to have herself or himself checked carefully by a
competent teacher to find what is exactly the right posture for her or
him as an individual.How to know if a teacher is good? Its hard to
say.You may be able to tell something from who that persons teachers
have been and where he or she has studied.It is important to find a
teacher who has been at the practice for a long while, because long
experience is what brings about real
learning.RIPENESS,RIPENESS,RIPENESS!!!Finally, you need to use the
kind of discernment that you use in every other aspect of your life.If
a person seems authentic and dedicated, start with him or her and see
how it goes.
One more thing,the full lotus position is the most secure way to sit,
but also it is the one most likely to injure the overeager
beginner.Your legs should be fairly flexible before you attempt it,and
even then, dont sit in that way for long periods until you are fairly
comfortable.Too many people try to keep to the letter of the physical
RULES FOR MEDITATION without realizing that the purpose of them is to
help them learn how to meditate, not to cause them pain and unnatural
discomfort.Finally id like u to check out some magnificent books which
will undoubtedly give u more than enough advice on the physical
aspects of zazen practice:
THE THREE PILLARS OF ZEN,by Phillip Kapleau
TAKING THE PATH OF ZEN,by Robert Aitken
ZEN TRAINING,by Katsuki Sekida
THE ART OF JUST SITTING,by John Daido Loori
THE MORNING STAR,by Robert Aitken
So glad to hear bout your zazen practice...for ripeness sake maintain
it!!!
Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi
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