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Wish me luck!

edited July 2005 in Sanghas
Well, after attending an evening introduction to Soto Zen practice at my nearest temple (still 50 miles away!) a while ago I'm off to my first day-retreat tomorrow.
I've been doing zazen daily for the last 6 weeks but for no longer than 30 minutes at a time. I think it's going to be a be a bit of a shock tomorrow as the whole day appears to be pretty much made up of sitting and walking meditation. Hope I don't get the fidgets!! :D

Comments

  • edited July 2005
    Well good luck!! :)
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited July 2005
    I always experience the fidgets on retreat! My only recourse is to Take Refuge and return my attention to a single point.

    May your retreat be fruitful, Frizzer.
  • comicallyinsanecomicallyinsane Veteran
    edited July 2005
    Good luck.
  • edited July 2005
    Good luck.

    I get fidgits on retreat, too. It can be hard work for someone like me to concentrate and focus all day; however, it is rewarding and totally worth it, if only to try it out.

    Let us know how it went.
  • edited July 2005
    Cheers for the support guys, I'll let you all know how it went when I get back tomorrow evening !
  • BrianBrian Detroit, MI Moderator
    edited July 2005
    Best of luck! :)
  • emmakemmak Veteran
    edited July 2005
    Go Adrian! Hope it goes well for you!
  • edited July 2005
    Phew, just got home after battling through the rush hour traffic for nearly 3 hours !!! :mad:
    Well I survived my first Soto Zen retreat and I'm definately going back to do some more. :bigclap:
    After meeting the other people attending we did 30 minutes seated meditation followed by 5 minutes walking and then another 30 mins seated. After that we had tea and a question and answers session. Then it was on to doing some working meditation for an hour and my job was to do the washing up and prepare lunch for everyone - fortunately my vegi pasta concoction went down a treat! :D
    After that we had the mid-day service and then more seated and walking meditation.
    Finally, after everyone else left I had a talk with the monk who leads the temple to discuss how she thought I was getting on and to answer any questions that may have arisen since my introductory evening.
    What struck me most about the day was the silent aspect of it all. I find it very hard to keep quiet, even when I'm on my own I tend to think out loud (:crazy: nutter alert!!) so this was one of the hardest parts for me. However, I discovered that sitting quietly and mindfully eating my lunch made the food taste far better and as I wasn't gulping it down I didn't get indigestion.......hurrah!
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited July 2005
    That sounds like you had a positive experience then. :) I hope that you continue with your practice.

    If you have not already seen it I suggest watching Enlightenment Guarenteed (Erleuchtung garantiert) by Doris Dörrie. You may enjoy it in light of your retreat.
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