Thursday, November 23, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
My Real Obstacle
What is the number one obstacle to my practice?
Lack of time immediately comes to mind.
I would like to examine my "lack of time" issue and see if we can share our thoughts on what is actualy preventing us from sitting Zazen.
Let's look at my day so far:
It is Nov 22, 2006. I got up at 7:00am, did my usual round of checking emails, stock performance and latest news. I spent the next two hours setting up this 20/30 Zen blog and wrote my first blog. Start my work at 9am. It is now 11:34am. I am taking a break from my work and found myself here typing away.
I have not spent one minute sitting.
Sure, I was busy doing stuff so I wasn't able to sit.
Busy doing "STUFF"?
I just realized as I am writing this that I consciously separate zazen from all other activities in my life.
Why can't zazen be part of my "STUFF"?
The real obstacle to my practice is not lack of time but separating zazen from my everyday life activities.
Lack of time immediately comes to mind.
I would like to examine my "lack of time" issue and see if we can share our thoughts on what is actualy preventing us from sitting Zazen.
Let's look at my day so far:
It is Nov 22, 2006. I got up at 7:00am, did my usual round of checking emails, stock performance and latest news. I spent the next two hours setting up this 20/30 Zen blog and wrote my first blog. Start my work at 9am. It is now 11:34am. I am taking a break from my work and found myself here typing away.
I have not spent one minute sitting.
Sure, I was busy doing stuff so I wasn't able to sit.
Busy doing "STUFF"?
I just realized as I am writing this that I consciously separate zazen from all other activities in my life.
Why can't zazen be part of my "STUFF"?
The real obstacle to my practice is not lack of time but separating zazen from my everyday life activities.
20/30 Zen 2.0
Since 20/30 Zen's inception, I have always wanted to attend one of its meetings. Although I will soon lose my eligibility(yes, I am pushing 40), I have, nevertheless, always hoped for the existence (and survivial) of such a group.
I have been sitting with ZCLA Sangha for six years but I barely exchanged more than the usual hellos and how are yous with some of you. The practice of Great Silence doesn't help either.
The truth is that, because I can barely find time to sit in the Zendo, the need to "social with people" automatically took the back seat. Judging from the exchanges I read from Yahoo's 20/30 Zen digest, I am not alone in this great struggle with "finding time".
Thus the inception of 20/30 Zen version 2.0; an online blog where we can share our thoughts. You can also publish photos and comment on other people's thoughts.
Not sure if this is necessary an upgrade from 2-/30 Zen 1.0. In some ways, it is just pure Darwanian; we must adapt to survive as a group.
So go ahead, grab a cup of coffee, sit down in front of your PC with your shaggy hair, pajamas and Micky Mouse slippers. Share your thoughts with everyone.
I have been sitting with ZCLA Sangha for six years but I barely exchanged more than the usual hellos and how are yous with some of you. The practice of Great Silence doesn't help either.
The truth is that, because I can barely find time to sit in the Zendo, the need to "social with people" automatically took the back seat. Judging from the exchanges I read from Yahoo's 20/30 Zen digest, I am not alone in this great struggle with "finding time".
Thus the inception of 20/30 Zen version 2.0; an online blog where we can share our thoughts. You can also publish photos and comment on other people's thoughts.
Not sure if this is necessary an upgrade from 2-/30 Zen 1.0. In some ways, it is just pure Darwanian; we must adapt to survive as a group.
So go ahead, grab a cup of coffee, sit down in front of your PC with your shaggy hair, pajamas and Micky Mouse slippers. Share your thoughts with everyone.
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