Guidelines for Daily 7am EST Zoom Zazen
OMZL is pleased to host daily zoom zazen, open to all members and friends.
The "start time" is 7 am EST. The sits are unprogrammed and self-timed. You are welcome to come late, leave early, move as needed, do dharma/koan study, make notes, and sit for less than an hour. Those of us still in the space at 8 am EST usually "bow out" with a gassho, a wave and a smile for each other... but you are welcome to continue sitting. Do walking meditation and posture changes as is timely.
Keep your microphone off and your camera on. Put your computer screen off to the side, so the zoom sangha is in your soft peripheral vision. This helps create a sense of comfort and safety.
Here is the link and password.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8791121624
password zazen
If you realize you wish to sit with this sangha regularly, please review the avoiding adverse impacts page, and share your emergency contact info via this form.
You will then be added to the daily zazen announcement list (infrequent organizational emails) and you will receive updated Zoom login and password info should they change.
For any additional information, contact Angie Reed Garner at omzlouisville@gmail.com.
Guidelines for Saturday Practice Via Zoom
As you can, arrive 6 minutes early to hear the rin gong & “Bell Verse” which calls everyone to find their seat and settle. Someone will help you do a sound check.
Please have your camera on while attending. Stay muted until the discussion begins, and then come off mute when you are ready to speak. (Re-mute yourself after you are sure you are done speaking.)
During the discussion, participate “normally.” When there is a natural opening in the flow of conversation, speak up. If you would like extra help getting into the conversation, use the raise hand function or simply wave.
Our chants are here:
https://www.omzlouisville.com/the-chants
Stillness during dharma talks, discussion and sitting is not first priority. Move as you need to, to stay comfortable. It's strongly suggested that you address any discomfort promptly. (Practitioners who do not take care of their discomfort commonly develop an aversion to meditation.)
If you sit in a chair: for many folks it works to sit forward in your seat, off the back of the chair. Use a wedge cushion (or fold and stack some towels) and place it underneath your sit bones so as to get your knees slightly lower than your hips. Sit with your knees apart to facilitate a soft belly and slight forward pelvic tilt. If you get tired or need constant chair support for whatever reason, please use it.
Meanwhile, some backs want support and even do best reclining and even lying down. When ill or exhausted, reclining positions make practice available. Don't hestitate to try out what is best for your body in the moment. There is no need to explain or justify this choice—it's obviously what's better for you.
During the dharma talk and discussion, be invited to take notes (or knit or crochet or doodle!) if that suits your learning style. Beverages are fine.
Here is the link and password.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8791121624
password zazen