By Robert Epstein

 

I practiced Zen, Tibetan, T’ai Chi, Agni Yoga, Hatha Yoga and some New Age disciplines for several decades, and then for several years I focused on Vipassana, before coming “home” to Zen again several years ago.

Since then I’ve sat down to sit about 1,000 times, and greatly enjoy my little meditation nook in my bedroom, in addition to koan work with a Soto zen teacher. Several months ago I decided my spot had too much space around it and went further into the corner to be closer to the wall and away from the windows.

I’ve considered myself primarily Buddhist for probably 25-30 years, if not longer. However, I’ve always reserved part of my interest for other traditions. I’ve studied Advaita Vedanta and still interested in contemporary non-dualism, taught Iyengar yoga for 15 years, and I’m ordained as an interfaith minister. I have described myself as a “Jewish Buddhist with a background in T’ai Chi and with Hindu tendencies.” I haven’t formally taken refuge or vows though I may get around to that sometime soon.

I continue to practice close to every day, usually at night. Sometimes if I practice really late it gets early again and I can hear the birds sing.

 

My meditation set-up

 

Did you like this post? You might also like:

 

 

All Coming Together as One: Join us on August 5

  By Alex Chong Do Thompson A few months ago, I was meditating at my local Zen center, and I did something that I almost never do during practice. I opened my eyes, and I looked around at my fellow practitioners. What I saw shocked me. The guy sitting directly...

The Faces of Meditation: Mackenzie Schmitzerle

  By Mackenzie Schmitzerle I started doing yoga to help with my back. As I went to more and more classes, I realized there was more to this class than just a stretch or work out. So, I opened myself up to going to different classes (not just crunch gym). I found...

The Faces of Meditation: Kimby Maxson

  By Kimby Maxson I'm in a women's riding group and agreed to write the monthly newsletter. I chose to write about moto-meditation after getting in a conversation with a fellow yoga teacher. She insisted that in order to properly meditate a person needs stillness...

The Faces of Meditation: Alex Chong Do Thompson

  By Alex Chong Do Thompson   This photo was taken in a park near my house, and the poster is a protest sign that I've carried previously during demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline. I believe strongly that practice doesn't stop when we leave...

Comments

comments