Virtual Zendo

The first day went just fine. I had thrown my back out last week and was considering joining in a little later. But it’s been feeling better so I went ahead. Actually, I think the sitting posture helped.

Then, last night my daughter wanted to be picked up and carried to bed (she’s 8). I just couldn’t say no (how much longer is she going to be my little girl after all?). So I picked her up and started towards her room.  It didn’t take more than six or eight steps before the pain shot in through my hip, down through my left leg to the calf where it crashed into a numbing throb. I put her down but it was too late.

I thought the sitting might do me some good as it did the night before. It was a little tricky to get into position – I sit in half-lotus – but I soon settled in. After only a few minutes, I just couldn’t sit any longer. Rather than quit, though I just lied down on my side and kept counting breaths. It worked pretty well and I am glad I didn’t quit.

Well, day two and I’m still “sitting”. Even if, last night’s “sitting” was more of a lying down meditation. So far so good.

And on Friday – to the chiropractor.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen, Big Sit, Commit to Sit by Francis Maile
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Tricycle Magazine’s 90-day Zen Meditation Challenge begins today. Some of you may remember last year’s Commit to Sit Challenge. The idea is to join together with a community of people who all commit to beginning a sitting practice. (more soon)

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen, Big Sit, Commit to Sit by Francis Maile
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Change Your Mind Day | Tricycle

Change Your Mind Day 2008 will be held on June 7th, the first Saturday in June, on tricycle.com. Please send us news of your own Change Your Mind Day!

In 1993 Tricycle created Change Your Mind Day, an afternoon of free meditation instruction, as a way of introducing the general public to Buddhist thought and practice. Tricycle decided to hold the teachings out of doors, as in the time of the Buddha, in the hopes of welcoming people who otherwise might shy away from the formality of a zendo or gompa. We booked a hill in Central Park and put up fliers around town.

If there isn’t a local Change Your Mind Day event in your area, try the Virtual CYM page.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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I just didn’t make it this time. Life got in the way. Of course I let it.

We traveled to China to adopt our son. I vainly thought I could maintain my sitting practice, but alas I didn’t even make through the first week of the trip. I beat myself up over this for some time. Doubts about my overall commitment to this practice and this path crept in and here I am several months later still not sitting daily.

I have restarted my practice, though. I will move forward, gently. Gradually building up to a daily hour of meditation. This is, I think a minimum goal for the attainment of some progress.

In July, I will be attending the summer sesshin at ZCLA. It is a week long retreat. At the very least, I don’t want to arrive there so out of shape that I spend the whole time in knots, muscles aching.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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It all goes away; the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. When it goes, what remains?

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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No really. I just can’t keep count anymore. I sit everyday and at some point I’ll figure out which day it is.

Every day.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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So why Zazen anyway? Thats is a very good question. I don’t really know why I do it. Sure, a big reason is that I want enlightenment. I don’t know what that is, but I want it. Which I guess means I don’t know what it is I want. Which comes back around to not knowing why I do it.

An end to suffering could be the reason. What is suffering? Why is suffering? Who is it who is suffering? Perhaps the answers to those questions is what I am seeking. Perhaps that is why I do Zazen.

I sense somehow that this is a path I need to be on. I don’t know fully why just yet, but I sense that it is where I need to be going. Sort of like walking down a road in semi-darkness, knowing that the path is familiar without being able to discern the details of the path or clearly see the final destination. You keep going because you know somehow you will round a bend and find that whcih you seek.

Why do you sit?

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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A new habit is born. Smack that puppy on the backside and welcome to the world. Well, we’ll see. I made it to day 50-something last time. Old habits – especially lazy habits – don’t die so easily. New ones must be nurtured.

But that isn’t really the point. Sit every day – except when I forget. I may make it all the way to 100 days. I may not. So far, I haven’t missed a day. Creating the habit of sitting is the point.

Having the goal helps establish that. Whether it be “Commit to Sit” with Tricycle Mag, 100 hours Zazen or some other program at your center or temple, having something to aim for can get us there. Setting a new goal and resetting again and again, can keeps us there.

Just keep coming back to the cushion. Just keep coming back to the breath.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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One more day and a habit is born. Isn’t that what they say?

I’m starting to settle into a little – late nights notwithstanding. Just keep pluggin’ along. Bow, sit, get up, keep going.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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I managed to sit somewhat earlier last night. It really is easier to sit when you’re not fighting to stay awake. I was a little calmer too, though I don’t know why.

Tags: 100 Hours Zazen by Francis Maile
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