Keep Opening the Door

Photo: annemini.com

When you sit down to meditate, you never know what’s going to come up. Some days  you’re hammered by relentless trivia; other days you’re caught in storms of anger or grief or  fear. What’s important is just to keep coming back to the cushion, to keep opening the door  to the possibility of peace and insight.

- Anne Cushman, "Fifteen Weeks of Dharma Dating"

Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice (playlist) with Eshu Martin

Have you just started a Zen practice? Or just considering one? 

This a solid practical guide to sitting With Eshu Martin, Abbot of Victoria Zen Center, located in Sooke, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. (link below)

This is Victoria Zen Center's description:

Instruction on posture and technique for Zen meditation practice (zazen). The first video in the Victoria Zen Centre's Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice Online Course. For detailshttp://www.zenwest.ca/online-zen/84-o...

There is even a video giving tips for setting up a space to meditate in. 

Remember! Meditation is exercise (or not exercise) for you mind. You may find it hard at first, so just try a little at a time. Maybe start with 10 minutes twice a day? What is important is your commitment to practice, whatever the length of time. Even that 10 minutes can help make a difference in your life. =D 

As you become more comfortable, consider extending the time by 3 - 5 minutes per sit. If you can find a group to sit with it can be a wonderful support. If that is not an option, then sitting alone is perfectly fine. The most important thing to do is to practice. 

Keep in mind that there is always someone on the planet sitting (given time zones, etc =P), so in a way there is always someone sitting with us. 

If you have any questions please ask! =D

In our next post, we will focus on providing you with tips for solo practice.