Best Of

I still my breathing; I gently relax my whole body, and release tension. I have noticed often, that I seem to experience a sensation of tingling between my skull and brain.. very subtle, almost imperceptible... and my palms also tingle, a little bit like pins and needles, and I can palpate energy between them, as if pressing on an inflated balloon...
I have become aware of the head sensation, since experiencing the car accident last year.☆
Less welcome sensations involve pain to my left eye, manifesting in different ways; and I have experienced 4 severe migraines since.
I am alive. I can't complain. I am grateful for the fact I still exist!

☆see update in this thread:
https://newbuddhist.com/discussion/27257/up-and-down-in-and-out-knocked-sideways#latest

The closest liturgy I’ve ever followed was the Hare Krishna puja. I attended these regularly for about 4–5 months back in Berlin. Another experience was attending a Tibetan Buddhist group meditation session, though there was only a simple incense offering near some photos by the altar.

Now, the closest thing to that is me chanting the Heart Sutra before zazen, early in the morning.

What’s your experience with chanting? Does it ever feel a bit off to you? I find that my relationship with this sutra sometimes reminds me of the Pure Land schools — Recite and you will be saved! It’s a kind of critical view I hold toward it. But maybe, the more accustomed you become to chanting, the more you’re also letting go of other habits?

Could it be that it works?

I light a candle,
burn some incense.
Chant, sit.

Peace!

long live amitabu......the great japan buddha in the mudra hand bowl serves all.
i love you now red buddha of the west of rest the sun of sunyata.

all things is possible in the unity of emptyness and form or samsara is nirvanna

and ty my lord his bodhistva dog p of shakimooni. you son living a sunny day in his purland mother earth. mu example, pure mu, impure mu.

prayer...long live the buddhas of the birds,bees,people and good earth.

@Kotishka
The initial part of my meditation is becoming aware of tension and relaxing, letting go. Exactly right, becoming aware, helps the softening.

In a sense, the mind/emotions too can tighten around ideas, feelings and chatter. Again by being attentive, we also find the process of leaving them to be, is part of acceptance and releasing...

I’ve noticed that when I meditate, my left shoulder rises. Uff... what a release it is when I become aware and simply let it relax. These days, I sometimes allow the tension to stay. When you pay attention to it, it tends to soften on its own. So much unnecessary suffering—poor posture most of the time, right? Others aren’t always as fortunate to be able to quickly bring relief to it.

Exercise is my way to listen to the body. I have found an interest in Tai Chi and Qi Qong. But I find myself a bit too shy to practice with others... haha