And a response.

Of all the words we use to disguise the hollowness of the human condition, none is more influential than ‘myself.’ It consists of a collage of still images—name, gender, nationality, profession, enthusiasms, relationships—that are renovated from time to time, but otherwise are each a relic from one particular experience or another. The defining teaching of the Buddhist tradition, that of non-self, is merely pointing out the limitations of this reflexive view we hold of ourselves. It’s not that the self does not exist, but that it is as cobbled-together and transient as everything else.

From: http://www.tricycle.com/thus-have-i-heard/self-verb

No explanation using words could ever be complete but this helps.

Read more in BuddhaDharma Magazine

I noticed on Tricycle’s Community pages that there are some others working through some back pain issues. I have had to “sit” lying down a few times. In this position, it seems harder for me to maintain my focus. I feel more like I,m resting than meditating. But it is better than nothing and I’m starting to be able to sit for greater portions of the promised 20 minutes.

What I have found most interesting is how quickly the focus has come back. Already, I am finding it easier to settle down and quiet the mind. This goes up and down, of course, but nothing like in the beginning. I only started meditating a couple of years ago and it has been a while. I feel though as if I am, maybe not picking up where I left off, but at least not starting over form scratch. This is somewhat of a relief.

I really hope that after this initial 90-day program, I will be able to continue with my meditation practice daily. I felt better and my wife claims I was easier to live with when I was meditating daily.

Then, last night my daughter wanted to be picked up and carried to bed (she’s 8). I just couldn’t say no (how much longer is she going to be my little girl after all?). So I picked her up and started towards her room.  It didn’t take more than six or eight steps before the pain shot in through my hip, down through my left leg to the calf where it crashed into a numbing throb. I put her down but it was too late.

I thought the sitting might do me some good as it did the night before. It was a little tricky to get into position – I sit in half-lotus – but I soon settled in. After only a few minutes, I just couldn’t sit any longer. Rather than quit, though I just lied down on my side and kept counting breaths. It worked pretty well and I am glad I didn’t quit.

Well, day two and I’m still “sitting”. Even if, last night’s “sitting” was more of a lying down meditation. So far so good.

And on Friday – to the chiropractor.

The book: Bringing the Sacred to Life: The Daily Practice of Zen Ritual by John Daido Loori, spiritual leader and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery outlines a simple set of rituals which can be used at home. Nothing complicated or overly involved,just a basic home practice which is just what I was looking for. I have been using it now for about a month and it fills the need I have of bringing some sense of the sacred into my daily life, without making it overly “religious”.

A quote from the book says it: “Zen ritual is a way of acknowledging and celebrating the sacredness in all things.”

You may be able to find it at your local library (or ask them to order it), local bookstore or order it through Amazon: [asa link]1590305337[/asa]

Further reading:

More about ritual at About.com.

Atheism and Buddhism — Buddhism as an Atheistic Religion scroll down to “The Roll of Devotion”.

Everyday Life is The Practice at Shambala Sun.

One of the reasons I started this site was to explore these issues. I have a tendency to turn inward when thinking about things, which in moderation can be a good thing. But I tend to get lost in there. So, turning 180 degrees I’m going to explore my inner life on the www.

Below are some of the links I am using in my search. I hope they are helpful to someone out there as well.

• The Life of the Buddha — Siddhartha Gautama, the Founder of Buddhism
• How to Become a Buddhist
• Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels — Becoming a Buddhist
• Beliefs of Buddhism — Buddhist Beliefs
• Buddhism Basics — An Introduction to Buddhism