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the new routine

padrepadre
edited May 2009 in Sanghas
I've just bought a new house and had planned on converting a large walk-in closet for use as a small zendo, but got to thinking...

Why not use the closet for a closet, and convert the living room into a zendo slash contemplative tea room instead? (And by tea room, I mean I do this whole ritualized matcha preparation process.)

The picture below isn't the whole room, but I think it conveys the basic aesthetic at work and shows my personal practice spot.

Photo_050609_001.jpg

I've been sitting twice a day, with prostrations in the morning and a slightly longer form including walking in the evening.

And I've begun participating regularly with the local Soto group when they meet three times a week (plus about 15 hours this past weekend if I count right).

Although I've been sitting solo for years with the occasional group participation and even full-day practice "retreats", this routine seems to be clicking better than all that.

I just thought it might be pleasant to share.

Comments

  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited May 2009
    Thanks. I like the arrangement. Hope it continues to work out for you.

    Palzang
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited May 2009
    padre wrote: »
    I've just bought a new house and had planned on converting a large walk-in closet for use as a small zendo, but got to thinking...

    Why not use the closet for a closet, and convert the living room into a zendo slash contemplative tea room instead? (And by tea room, I mean I do this whole ritualized matcha preparation process.)

    (. . .)

    I just thought it might be pleasant to share.
    Just a question, out of curiosity...
    If you have visitors, or callers, presumably you have a different room for 'entertaining'? Or do you bring guests into this environment?
    I ask, because I would love such a room, and my 'Altar' is in my living room, which is also multi-purpose.

    Lovely picture, Thanks!
  • padrepadre
    edited May 2009
    If I have visitors who are not visiting in a manner well-suited to the "tea room", there's room to hang out in the breakfast room, craft room, back porch/yard, or either bedroom (which is where the TVs & internet go). Just depends on what people are trying to do, really.

    I don't have a ban on people visiting in the tea room, as long as people are having a good time.
    federica wrote: »
    Just a question, out of curiosity...
    If you have visitors, or callers, presumably you have a different room for 'entertaining'? Or do you bring guests into this environment?
    I ask, because I would love such a room, and my 'Altar' is in my living room, which is also multi-purpose.

    Lovely picture, Thanks!
  • nomadnomad
    edited May 2009
    Very nice. I wish my apartment had the space for something like that.
  • padrepadre
    edited May 2009
    I've recruited my mom to help me with zabuton production, as I only have two, but have three zafu(s?), a bench, a smile cushion, a few elevation cushions (for those few extra inches), and a wedge (almost all of which we made ourselves).

    I think a cushion for the bench may be in order, too. Once you get started....
  • nomadnomad
    edited May 2009
    padre wrote: »
    I've recruited my mom to help me with zabuton production, as I only have two, but have three zafu(s?), a bench, a smile cushion, a few elevation cushions (for those few extra inches), and a wedge (almost all of which we made ourselves).

    I think a cushion for the bench may be in order, too. Once you get started....

    Once you pop...you can't stop? :lol:
  • padrepadre
    edited May 2009
    Pretty much. heh
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited May 2009
    padre wrote: »
    I've just bought a new house and had planned on converting a large walk-in closet for use as a small zendo, but got to thinking...

    Why not use the closet for a closet, and convert the living room into a zendo slash contemplative tea room instead? (And by tea room, I mean I do this whole ritualized matcha preparation process.)

    The picture below isn't the whole room, but I think it conveys the basic aesthetic at work and shows my personal practice spot.

    Photo_050609_001.jpg

    I've been sitting twice a day, with prostrations in the morning and a slightly longer form including walking in the evening.

    And I've begun participating regularly with the local Soto group when they meet three times a week (plus about 15 hours this past weekend if I count right).

    Although I've been sitting solo for years with the occasional group participation and even full-day practice "retreats", this routine seems to be clicking better than all that.

    I just thought it might be pleasant to share.

    Beautiful. Lovely.

    Thanks for sharing. Gassho, gassho.
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