Intention: How do you start your day?
I'm about to use a whole lot of words in a row that start with the letter "z."
So let me start by saying them: zafu, zabuton, zazen.
Now, the first. The zafu is the cushion you see in the photo (the topmost cushion). This one is called a "smile cushion" because of the shape. I had some hip issues many years back and started sitting on this style cushion because it tilts the pelvis forward slightly, thus alleviating some tension in the hips (specifically where the hip meets the pelvis - this joint being the largest one in your body. It's pretty darn important).
Zabuton, well, that's the big square cushion underneath. I had never used a zabuton on a regular basis until last week when these came in. And I told Patrick, "it's like sitting on a cloud!" to which he responded, "you know you're a student of Zen when sitting on a zabuton seems luxurious!"
Finally, zazen. Glamorous word, not so glamorous practice. Patrick and I went on our first meditation retreat during college. The retreat was in Massachusetts with Thich Nhat Hanh (a man I would nominate for the Nobel Peace Prize had he not already been nominated for it by Dr Martin Luther King). Zazen is seated meditation practice. Boring and invigorating as watching as clouds pass through the sky. Let's let Patrick explain:
Where we start the day
If it's true that where and how we start the day says a lot about how our day goes, you want to start with a solid foundation. I have decided to scale back on late nights out salsa dancing and karaokeing (and it kills me a bit to do so) because I really want to train myself to get up early. Waking up earlier means that my morning routine, besides sitting and practicing yoga, can include writing my intentions and journaling freely for a few minutes. This all happens before I touch my laptop or iPhone (raise your hand if you check your email while in bed. Could you give that up? Many people couldn't imagine it).
After sitting, I practice yoga for a short bit. We ring out the practice with the bell I got on retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh nearly a decade ago. It's called a Bell of Mindfulness. Listening to it brings you back to the present moment.
Sitting, then yoga. Finally, I write intentions and three action items for the day. I like the items to tie in to my life list. But they are also arising on a daily basis and there's no pressure to make them be anything special.
After writing I open my laptop, check email, calendars and start doing my batching of tasks (like scheduling rockstar calls). That's how I start my day. How do you start yours?
--
This month marks a decade of friendship and practice with Patrick. The first time I meditated it was with Patrick, in a dorm on the campus at Carolina. Patrick was leading the "meditation" class and he was being very serious. So I laughed at him. In the end I got kicked out of my first meditation class. His patience with me stands the test of time. And somehow, even though it's been called "everything wrong with Western Buddhism," so has our podcast.
We're getting old now, P. Time to start getting wise.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Reader Comments (15)
Sounds like a great way to start the day! I've got total zabuton-envy... ;)
Vince *chuckle* on the "zabuton-envy." Was just talking about you this weekend - were your ears burning? Currently reading Tricycle's Commit to Sit and BG came up in a discussion about it. Good stuff.
Lovely. Glenn and I are going to start trying this so hopefully next time we visit we can have ourselves a little meditation party :)
When you said your day starts with a lot of z-words in a row, I immediately thought of my first words in the morning, which are "zzzzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzzz". I like to sleep in. If I do not focus on the people who are waiting for me (the gym to meet my workout partner, the girlfriend that I'm meeting at the museum, or people I owe projects to at work), the pull of the bed is too powerful. I will hit snooze for hours. So when I get up, all efforts are focused on getting out of the door. I think sometimes..."maybe I should go to bed earlier, so I can get up earlier and have a nice relaxing start to the day." But then in the morning, I weigh "writing in a journal" or "tai chi" vs. "MORE SLEEP" and sleep always wins. Let me say again, the only reason I get up is because otherwise I would let other people down. Is this a bad way to function?
*raises hand*
I've wanted so badly to start with earlier mornings that include yoga (especially as I begin my teacher training and have to fit in my additional classes on TOP of instructor-led classes, a 40-hour/week job, and what pieces of a social life I have left :)), reading, and making time for breakfast.
I tend to have later nights than I intend to as I always get a second wind around 10p, right around the time I should be going to bed.
This is further motivation to start making sacrifices (turn the laptop off at 930p) in order to prioritize the things that are important (nailing this class, eating breakfast, starting my day off right).
Thanks for the insight/inspiration!
Liz let's! Time to go ahead and plan your next trip to Boulder/my first trip to Sac!
Ruth sometimes I am that way, too. It's like kicking a bad habit. I was talking to my grandmother this weekend and she was like, "oh, you and your eight hours of sleep! I only have to sleep five hours." And I was like, "you're so lucky! It's like you get to live double the life I do." And she said, "oh, I never really thought of it that way."
Doniree Rock it! I have a self-imposed rule of no tech after ten. But I sometimes break it when I'm on a roll and don't want to break the flow.
Thanks for the great reminder.
Loved the video. It made me smile.
Smiling is always good.
Good day to you.
Oh I like that Patrick. Even if if makes my calves burn something fierce.
Wonderfully inspiring. thank you. (Off to hear the podcast!!)
Wow -- thank you for sharing this.
My mornings have been sluggish lately. After waking up with minutes to spare, I tend to stumble through most of my day, only to catch up in late evening--which isn't really catching up. Your post has inspired me to get my butt up early!
Giving up the salsa dancing nights will be tough, though. I can commiserate. ;-]
This is so inspiring. My problem is that I have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get to work on time, so I already go to bed before 10 p.m. I am a morning person, but much earlier than that is more like the middle of the night! It's a constant battle for me to find the time to just be quiet, meditate, and pray.
Kathleen That really is a challenge. Wow. Do you find quiet moments throughout the day? Do you meditate/pray in motion (on your way to work/during breaks)?
Great Post!
You've got a fantastic little space there........Those bell gongs are amazing things for a taste of the present, I love to take a moment to ring mine whenever I'm feeling a little too wrapped up in what I'm doing. did you know you can get them tuned to each chakra for a little pick me up in whatever area you need?
That's it. You have inspired me to invest in my own cloud and upgrade my rock hard zabuton. Sitting can be comfy too, and I miss it being that way.
yay for a good morning ritual. And please help me keep up my pattern of no more email in bed.
Caroline I'm here for you. Also, Carolina Morning. Check them out for cloud-like zabuton action. Your butt cheeks deserve the best.