Breath counting

shays860

Has anyone here made the progression from counting in and out breath to just counting in breath to just focusing on the breath and finally to just sitting? (As recomended in the three pillars of zen). I guess I just want reassurance in my own practice. Thanks

genkaku

@shays860 -- There is a natural progression ... no effort necessary. I began by counting both inhalations and exhalations from one to ten. That moved on to counting exhalations only ... the more common breath-counting way. But at times when breath-counting becomes established, there is a natural easing into shikantaza.

As I say, this is not something to read a book about or to imagine one thing is better than another. If/when it happens, OK. If/when it doesn't happen, OK. Just keep up your good practice.

seeker242

Yes, many people have done that.

shays860

Thanks guys. I was wondering about that easing into shikantaza thing. the three pillars made it sound like you do the first step for a few months then the next for a few months and so forth but i have felt like the counting was just getting in the way a few times and wondered if i should "just sit" at that point.