Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Regarding zazen, I now believe that instead of trying to conform to an objectively ideal posture or external model, we should approach it by finding the right posture for ourselves, moment by moment, in each session, in consultation with our own bodily sensations. Instead of mentally deciding on the “ideal” posture from the start, we should listen to our body and search carefully. Therefore, it might be fine to take the entire forty minutes of a zazen period just to explore and search for this posture. The practice of “sitting correctly with bones and muscles,” as described by the late Rev. Kosho Uchiyama, is not about achieving a “perfect” model posture and maintaining it rigidly whenever we sit in zazen. It is about sincerely and freshly exploring the posture that is “correct” at that moment, listening to the body and patiently pursuing this process of discovery. This process is akin to tuning a musical instrument, adjusting it toward the right note while listening intently. In such practice, we must avoid rushing or being impatient, as doing so will prevent us from sensing the delicate and subtle sensations that arise from the body.’ (from the Soto Zen Journal)