.

In Soto style, we ‘face the wall‘… we sit with our backbone slightly forward of the center of the Zafu,  … back straight, as if a tiny thread were running tothe ceiling through the crown of the head … give that thread a smalltug, ever so slightly, tostretch the neck and pull the chin in … your eyes should be 1/3 or2/3 open ( … the pointis to remain present in this world and not drift into some dreamystate) … gazing at a downward angle to the wall (In Rinzai style, as above, one faces into the room)
zazen side eyes sodo.jpg

zazenmountainside.jpg

It does not have to be beautiful, nor a model of perfection (just perfectly what-it-is), but it should be balanced andcomfortable such that the body can be dropped from mind (most of thetime … there will always be days of little aches and pains).

.


(remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells;
a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended)
More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad