I'm not going to answer these myself, because I'm no authority of any kind, however, I came across these two pretty short videos of one of my favorite teachers Brad Warner. So here we go, about Zen
and about zazen
Gassho and thanks for watching,
Myoku
No excuses ...
Right now I'm in the kitchen, having a sick child (already clearly on its way back to health) the next door. This is one of the typical "excuses situations" I'm prone to. What I mean is, that often I find myself having an excuse like "I cant take care of the child, you have to, because my work is so important". But hey, my wife has a work which is not less important.
The next excuse would be to not work at all, but there is plenty of time; when he's sleeping, reading or playing without me. Then the kitchen: because of the sick child and work, I cant take care of the kitchen. Bullshit, I still can put the stuff back where it belongs after using it, I still can fill, start and finally empty the dish washer.
And now my favorite excuse: I cant sit zazen today, how can I "just sit" with all that out of its regular order world. Well, I can, I will and its actually helping to reduce the chaos :) But it will feel strange though to do, at the beginning. And if I get interrupted with some coughing child, thats all good zen practice.
Its not about being stubborn, its not about ignoring special situations, its about being honest to oneself. Something which I find difficult, as I'm sometimes so good in tricking myself ;-)
Thanks for reading and Gassho
Myoku
The next excuse would be to not work at all, but there is plenty of time; when he's sleeping, reading or playing without me. Then the kitchen: because of the sick child and work, I cant take care of the kitchen. Bullshit, I still can put the stuff back where it belongs after using it, I still can fill, start and finally empty the dish washer.
And now my favorite excuse: I cant sit zazen today, how can I "just sit" with all that out of its regular order world. Well, I can, I will and its actually helping to reduce the chaos :) But it will feel strange though to do, at the beginning. And if I get interrupted with some coughing child, thats all good zen practice.
Its not about being stubborn, its not about ignoring special situations, its about being honest to oneself. Something which I find difficult, as I'm sometimes so good in tricking myself ;-)
Thanks for reading and Gassho
Myoku
Getting Back into Balance
Does you feel your life is out of balance at times ? I certainly do. However, I usually not label it this way, I rather call it “a bad time”, “unfortunate circumstances” or “just a lot going wrong”. But I found thats not true, at least I’m guilty to bring my life out of balance myself all too often.
In winter in example I’m often rather bad in shape. Scientists say its the lack of light during these month., the so called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However I actually add to this problem. In winter I’m often too lazy to put on warm clothes to go out. I not enjoy the cloudy days, the wet cold on my skin. So I stay much more inside then in summer. This way I manage to get even less light and on top I almost never exercise.
In winter in example I’m often rather bad in shape. Scientists say its the lack of light during these month., the so called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However I actually add to this problem. In winter I’m often too lazy to put on warm clothes to go out. I not enjoy the cloudy days, the wet cold on my skin. So I stay much more inside then in summer. This way I manage to get even less light and on top I almost never exercise.
The good news is that I don’t think its too complicate to remain in balance, just be inside and be outside. Sit still and move. Relax and engage. Eat not too much and not too few, eat balanced amount of fruits, salads and well, why not, some french fries or whatever you enjoy particularly. Drink enough and the right stuff, water is best. And so on. I found that for myself it is the balance that matters.
I even kept a check list for a while to remember me to go out each day, to have at least one fruit (way too less btw) a day and so on. After following my checklist for a few weeks most of it became habitual.
What does it have to do with Zen ? Well, everything and nothing. When I’m more present and aware and not indulge in wasting time with watching TV, I more likely notice when I drift away from the middle way, the balanced living.
Thanks for reading
Gassho
Myoku
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