Instructions to sit from Koun Franz

[Taigu]

I kindly recommand you to read the following essay of Koun Franz on his Nyoho blog:

http://nyoho.com/2013/04/07/an-attempt-at-instructions-for-zazen/

The directions and instructions he gives for zazen are simply amazing.

Gassho to all


Taigu

[Hans]

Hello Taigu,

great stuff indeed. I mentioned it to the Tea Party attendees yesterday. Deep without being pretentious, and that's the way I like it (and Ryokan would agree I feel :) )

Gassho and thanks for sharing,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Heisoku]

Thank you for posting this link. It is a wonderful reflection and truly has made me reflect on my sitting. I had not heard of either Sitting in Practice or Verification before. Gassho.

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[Myozan Kodo]

Thanks Taigu. These words go deep in my belly. I'll need to digest them.
Gassho
Myozan

[Daitetsu]

Thanks a lot, Taigu!

"Do not make zazen — let sitting reveal itself."
Very nice! I think I'll follow his blog.

Gassho,

Timo

[Taigu]

Allow zazen to sit you...is my take.

yes, this guy is great and his teachings both original and truly traditionnal.

I look at Koun as being one of my teachers.

gassho




Taigu

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi,
In truth, I think "Allow Zazen to sit you" is a more direct expression of the truth than "Do not make zazen".
Gassho
Myozan

[Jundo]

We are in the process of asking Koun to offer a little talk for us, maybe even lead a Zazenkai. We are working out the logistics now, and I hope it can happen soon.

Gassho, Jundo

[Mp]

Wonderful post Taigu, thank you. :)

Gassho
Shingen

[Yugen]

"Let sitting reveal itself" - the first thought that popped up for me upon reading this was to "let life reveal itself.." Today the best thing I can do is get out of my own way....

Thank you for this Taigu.

Deep bows
Yugen

[Genshin]

Thank you for sharing this Taigu.


Be the tree beneath which other buddhas sit.

Beautiful.

Gassho
Matt

[Oheso]

Taigu Sensei, let me join the chorus of thank yous for this post and connection.

gassho,
Robert

[Juki]

Wow. This is really quite beautiful. MattW, I also was awestruck by the line you quoted.

Gassho,
Wiliam

[Kyonin]

Very beautiful indeed. Thank you, Taigu.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Risho]

That is superb.

Gassho,

Risho

[Heishu]

Thank you for this.

Gassho
Heishu

[Kaishin]

Thank you, Taigu & Jundo.

[RichardH]

Roots penetrate and plunge downward into the rough textures of the earth. A cloud dissolves into open sky.



Gassho
Daizan

[pinoybuddhist]

Cool. It will be nice to hear a talk from a teacher than you or Taigu for a change (not that I have any complaints about your talks).

gassho1

Rafael

We are in the process of asking Koun to offer a little talk for us, maybe even lead a Zazenkai. We are working out the logistics now, and I hope it can happen soon.

Gassho, Jundo

[Jakugan]

Thank you for this talk. I have bookmarked it already. [morehappy]

Gassho,

Simon

[Oheso]

could someone offer an explanation of "sitting in practice" and "sitting in verification"?

thanks, gassho,

Robert

[Shokai]

You can look it up [claps]

http://bit.ly/ZMOfJl

gassho,

[Seimyo]

Thank for posting this Taigu. I too have bookmarked it for future reference as well.

Gassho.
Seimyo

[Onken]

Hi all,

Here's a question. In reading this article and in traditional thought, we should sit straight, pelvis tucked, but relaxed. In traditonal Zen schools, one's posture is corrected, however, I sometimes find myself slouching during zazen and feel comfortable. I have some great sits out of correct posture. Can this "slouching" posture be ok?

[Daitetsu]

Hi Onken,



I have some great sits out of correct posture. Can this "slouching" posture be ok?
The thing is what do you consider a "great sit" (vs. "bad sit")? IMHO we should drop all judgments of good or bad - we just sit. No sit is better or worse than another.

I assume you mean a sit with lots of blue sky (vs. stormy sits). My personal take is this: if you have lots of blue sky slouching, then slouch! (supposed this does not cause any pain or damages your body).
I am pretty sure this is not the traditional way though and many teachers will disagree.

As soon as I slouch during sitting, this leads to back pain, so I always take care to sit upright (not military style though).

Gassho,

Timo

[Rich]

Hi all,

Here's a question. In reading this article and in traditional thought, we should sit straight, pelvis tucked, but relaxed. In traditonal Zen schools, one's posture is corrected, however, I sometimes find myself slouching during zazen and feel comfortable. I have some great sits out of correct posture. Can this "slouching" posture be ok?

This is a great question because I'm probably a little bit of a slouch. I always seem to be making adjustments so I feel comfortable and balanced. So if you feel comfortable the slouching may just be an idea and not real anymore. I think you just have to figure it out for yourself.

[jus]

ive always heard about things such as the rigidness and strictness of zen, and that you MUST sit up as straight as possible during meditation. what ive gathered from taigus video and from other teachers, is to sit more naturally? not necessarly slouching, but the spine does bend some? please correct me if I misunderstood. gassho, Justin.

[Geika]

I'm not Jundo or Taigu, but I say yes, jus. It is best to sit naturally, but upright.

[Taigu]

Slouching, no. Rigidity, no. A natural vertical spine without tension and a well orientated zafu. Good or bad zazen is an irrelevant stuff.

Check my vids again, an AT teacher would put you on a great track for sitting the body-mind. So would your own exploration and patience. But it is so easy to fool oneself as to if the sitting is balanced or not.

Gassho

Taigu

[jus]

sorry, that is what I ment, I think. a natural position. natural, not slouching, not too rigid. Im still learning and going through all of the videos here. gassho, Justin.

[Jyukatsu]

http://nyoho.com/2013/04/07/an-attempt-at-instructions-for-zazen/

I so appreciate this link, a beautiful description.....thank you.
Gassho,
Marina sat today

[Byokan]

Oh, this is really wonderful! gassho1

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

[Yuki]

Thank Taigu, merci beaucoup !
I appreciate your recommandations... gassho2

[Dali]

Thank you graciously Taigu. These instructions are so meaningful in helping me understand Zazen. I have been learning a great deal from the teachings and videos for new beginners and this compliments them perfectly.

Gassho
Dali. gassho1