So read Brad's latest book - Don't Be A Jerk

It's Mr. Warner's attempt to re-phrase and summarize some of the major writings by Dogen Zenji. Dozen was a famous (in Zen Buddhist circles at least) Zen monk who founded the Soto sect. I'm finding I like the Soto's sect point of view more and more. It's very no nonsense and practical... no focus on big revelations or mysteries, just a shut up, sit down, and meditate sort of attitude. Brad does a good job, I think, in taking what can be some rather heavy language and explaining it in modern ways. If you're a big time scholar I'm sure you'll find various flaws in the text. On the other hand this is really meant to be an intro, as it were, so some concepts are dumbed down. I did appreciated that Brad provides links in the end to translations he likes and used, as well as other texts. Also he did a nice job showing how hard it can be to translate Dogen's writings due to time, linguistic choice, etc. So if you're really into Zen and like reading about the philosophy I highly suggest the good.

Meditation.. Couple thoughts

So now starting week 4 of regular daily meditation.

 

Pain - knees go ow, feet fall asleep, and now in making sure I have good posture I appear to have strained some muscle groups near the clavicles. Nothing major, just like any physical activity, if you haven't done it before you find out all sorts of new muscle groups.

Thoughts - In this style you allow thoughts to "rise and fall". In other words your brain is gonna throw stuff up there, just don't latch on to it.

Next up - probably find time to go to one of the local Soto based zendo. See what a more formal setting is like.

(Side note: I following the Soto Zen style of meditation, like some of the thoughts behind it, main source right now is Brad Warner for reading materials.)

Minor observations on meditating...

O.K. It's only day three of finally doing daily sitting. (zen meditation, following the Soto school point of view. So see people like Brad Warner, or Dharma Field's Steve Hagen for better info than I can provide.)

1) Legs/feet falling asleep. I know pinched nerve, but still one of those things that happens. 

2) The whole let thoughts rise & fall, just observe, be present is interesting. It's not so much as suppress thought as it is just let it fade away.

3) Cats... specifically Edgar and his very whiney meow. :-)

Dunno... my only hope is to make this into a daily habit. So using Habitica to help with that.

Currently doing 20 min sittings, at some point (once legs get more streached out) will move that up to 30. Also need to take Mike up on going to a sitting at Dharma Field, maybe late Sept or early Oct.