Tuesday, 9/25
Today the chipmunk warriors are chirping at the right speed for daily chanting, so I use their chirps to keep the beat for the Heart Sutra and the Great Dharani. They chirp somewhat irregularly, so I have to be totally alert and react instantaneously to stay in sync with them. An interesting exercise in reflexive concentration.
✫✫✫✫✫✫✫✫
Today I noticed that during meditation, I often drift off within a few minutes of sitting down. My body lists slightly to the left, and my field of vision glazes over, allowing internal meanderings. By setting visual cues on the floor and keeping a perfectly straight back, I was able to “return to now” much more effectively.
✫✫✫✫✫✫✫✫
When getting ready for sitting meditation this evening, I heard myself say “Sitting!! Whup dee doo!! Just what I need some more of!” Then I laughed uncontrollably for about three minutes.
✫✫✫✫✫✫✫✫
The Fifth Great Vow: “Allergy medicines are numberless. I vow to take them all.”
✫✫✫✫✫✫✫✫
Sometimes I think today’s Zen students know too much about Zen. For example, when I’m feeling unmotivated or having some kind of resistance to Zen practice, I think “Oh, that’s just great doubt. That’s one of the Three Essential Elements of Zen. My practice is fine.” Has the effectiveness of these methods been diluted by us knowing about them? I wonder if I will ever experience authentic great doubt.
✫✫✫✫✫✫✫✫
Return to Winter 2010-2011