Keeping Your Practice Pure David W. Nelson, PhD It is in the Listening Let s make today s session a practice of mindfulness. Just listen. Return to here and rest. Take a deep breath into your hara (center), smile a bit and let s proceed. 1
My Intro to Mindfulness Martial Arts 1969 Sanchin Kata Formal Zen Training Soto Zen with the Reverend Nonin Chowaney at the Heartland Temple in Omaha, Nebraska Received the precepts in 1994 in a ceremony called Jukai. Five Varieties of Zen Bompu Zen Gedo Zen Shojo Zen Daijo Zen Saijojo Zen 2
The type of Zen practice that is practiced free from religious or philosophic content but for the improvement of mental and/or bodily health. Considered Ordinary, or Bompu Current Mindfulness movement in Mental Health and Substance Use is Bompu Zen Outside Way Zen, and implies a Zen practice outside of Buddhist teachings. Christian contemplation, Confucianism, Yogic practices, Shamanic arts, Martial arts, and/or practices solely pursuing special powers and abilities. Small Vehicle Zen, or the practice taking you from one state of mind (delusion) to another (enlightenment) It s focus is individual, not all embracing. Cannot see the big picture of how all is interconnected. Still, a me-them perspective. A Car (small individual vehicle) versus a Bus (large communal vehicle) 3
Great Vehicle Zen. This is the Bus, and more Buddhist in its philosophy and practice, whereby you become more compassionate. Bodhisattvic Vows. Goal is to awaken to your True-nature, and upon this awakening, you see how Zazen is not a means to an end. It is not a vehicle that takes you anywhere. Shining a tile to become a mirror. The purest of Zen practice and incorporates Shikantaza, or just sitting zen. Shikantaza is where means and ends coalesce. There is no struggle for awakening. You practice in the faith that just sitting your True- Nature reveals itself. Awakening is more of a dropping of delusions to allow your pure nature to come forth. Bottom line: If you are in a state of Want when practicing Mindfulness, you are not mindful. You are getful. The state of Want is the root of suffering, and counter-productive to mindful behavior and practice. Mind is split. Mindfulness is just being here. No expectations of benefits. No hopes of getting better. Just being here now resting in this as it is. 4
Wolf in Sheep s Clothing All 7 Pitfalls lie under Getfulness, but come disguised in Mindful practices. They are subtle, and sometimes you are not aware of their influence on your practice. Being aware of their existence, will help guide your Mindful practice, and keep it pure. Frustration If you find yourself resisting or getting frustrated with sitting/mindful practice, you are in one of the pits! Why? Because you Want and this is Getfulness. 5
1. Destination Delirium 2. Chasing Ghosts 3. The Overflowing Cup 4. Hold My Beer, I ve got this. 5. Looking for a Cause 6. Sporadic-itis 7. Radio head Cognitive Reframe for Returning Here! The one and only reframe you need to return to here.and rest. Hi Pitfall, Come Watch Me, Now Purpose/Activity Gratitude Thank you for this opportunity to practice. Use the energy of the pitfall to enhance your mindful practice. Destination Delirium The delusion that somewhere else is better than where you are at, right now. Impatience is a cue. Pressing to be somewhere. 6
Chasing Ghosts Looking for Euphoria, heightened states of awareness, special powers. Individualistic, and self-serving. Laser light experience The Overflowing Cup In the beginner s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki *********************** Nanin & the Professor I Know That! Hold my beer, I ve got this Lone Ranger mentality. Thinking you don t need anyone else to support your practice. Formal Zen encourages group practice. 7
Looking for a Cause Looking for a cause of your problems is like Alice chasing down the rabbit hole. Today s weather is the cause of today s weather. Look at your chronic caseload. Sporadic-itis Lack of practice. Practice, practice, practice. 5 minutes of zen everyday is more important than 50 minutes done once a week. Consistency is important. Notice your resistance Ohm. Radio Head There is no little person in the radio talking. There is no little person in the head talking. You can t step in the same river twice you can t step in the same self twice. Always been here. Affiliated with Destination Delirium there is no place to go, cause there is no one going. Being nobody, going nowhere. 8
In good old Zen fashion.nothing. Reactivity keeps you in the framework of Getfulness. Be aware of them Embrace them. Ask them to join you in your journey (going nowhere ) Mindful Cognitive Reframe Hi there Pitfall, come watch me, while I (focus on the nowpurpose) Formal Practice Key Points: Comfortable seating Back Straight Chin Tucked in Eyes half open Tripod of butt and knees Focus on breathing into hara haragei. When mind wanders, gently bring it back to breath/hara Consistency 20 minutes-40 minutes/sit 9
Kinhin Sashu Walk Slowly timing breath with steps 40 minute sit 10 minute kinhin 40 minute sit Warrior Zen The practice of zen is not some fluffy new age practice nor a means of curing psychological woes. It is a cold steel bladed warrior practice of facing death in the eyes and saying, hey, wassup? --Shinzen Contact Information David W. Nelson david.nelson@ho-chunk.com davidnelsonphd@yahoo.com Facebook David Nelson (Shinzen) House of Wellness 2845 White Eagle Road Baraboo, WI 53913 608.355.1240 ext: 5560 10