[Buddha-l] The Body in Buddhist Practice

[Lawrence K. Starner]

This, too, has been my teaching, practice, and understanding of zazen.

-- Larry

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

> -----Original Message-----

> My own training (admittedly Zen) suggests that the body is much more
> than symbolic -- it practically IS meditation. There is no question
> that the posture is often mentioned in symbolic ways, but I think it
> is also true that there is hardly any other way to sit that is so
> conducive to easy breathing and staying in one relaxed position for a
> long period of time. And the body is a full participant in any
> meditation I have ever been taught and it is what meditates. If Zazen
> is the practice, then the body is the instrument and the mind the
> observer.  Or so it seems to me.
>
> Jim Peavler