Chest Out, Back Straight

Chest Out, Back Straight

Chest out,

back straight,

let us correct our posture.

This is because,

the way we hold our body,

influences our attitude toward the tasks at hand.

Regarding this,

in "Zen Words That Illuminate Life" (Author: Nanrei Yokota, Chichi Publishing)

it is written as follows.

To read Zen words,
I recommend first correcting your posture before reading.

Furthermore,
reading them aloud is also good.

However,
it is important not just to try to interpret them with your head,
but to read them with your body.

For that,
the first thing is to straighten your lower back.

To those doing Zazen for the first time,
first of all,

"Let us straighten our lower back"

is what I say.

At Engaku-ji Temple, the monthly Dharma talk also always

"Let us first straighten our lower back"

begins with that one phrase.

Professor Shinzo Mori, a philosopher who dedicated his life to education,
taught us:

"If you want to become a person of substance, first, keep your lower back straight at all times. Since the mind is invisible, you must first control it through the visible body."

This is what he taught.

He also said,

"Always keeping your lower back straight is the secret to becoming a person of true character."

"Keeping your lower back straight is the way to store an inexhaustible source of energy. If you can teach your child this one thing, it can be said to be the greatest gift a parent can give."

He also stated this.

Keeping the lower back straight is also simply called 'Ritsuyo' (standing the lower back).

The essentials of Ritsuyo are the following three points.

First, pull your hips firmly back.

Second, push the center of your lower back firmly forward.

Third, tuck your chin in slightly and focus some strength in your lower abdomen.

As for the benefits of keeping your lower back straight, there are many,

1. Motivation arises,

2. Concentration improves,

3. Endurance increases,

4. The mind becomes clear,

5. Studying becomes enjoyable, and so on,

it is full of good things.

Keep your lower back straight, focus your energy in your lower abdomen (tanden), and breathe slowly.

That will calm your mind.

Only when the mind is calm
can you see things as they truly are for the first time.

That is wisdom.

Practicing Zazen
is not just about becoming empty-minded and feeling nothing.

It is about generating true wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to make calm judgments without including yourself in the equation.

If you think about the posture you take when you are deep in thought,
your waist is bent, your back is hunched,
and you are likely resting your chin in your hand, lost in contemplation.

When your posture is poor, your balance suffers,
which actually requires extra effort,
making you tire more easily.

When that happens, your concentration drops further, and you may become irritable.

Sometimes when I ride the train,
I often see young people sitting on the edge of their seats,
hunched over and absorbed in using their mobile phones.

With a posture like that,
you end up getting stiff in various parts of your body.

Sitting correctly with your back straight is actually more comfortable.

It allows you to sit for long periods.

Since ancient times,

it has been said that

‘Zazen is the gateway to peace and comfort.’

I think we use our heads a lot in our daily lives.

Thinking is important,
but overthinking is not good.

To bring down the blood that has rushed to your head,
it is effective to focus your strength in your abdomen.

In the East, since ancient times,
the lower abdomen has been called the 'Tanden,' the source of vitality.

Zen Master Hakuin
damaged his mind and body due to overly intense training in his youth,
and regained his health through breathing that focuses energy into the tanden.

From that experience,
he taught the importance of focusing energy into the tanden and exhaling slowly when practicing zazen.

When people think of zazen, they might only think of folding their hands and legs,
and enduring the pain in their legs,
but I tell them that the three important things are to keep the lumbar spine upright,
focus energy into the tanden,
and take long breaths.
I am saying this.

When you keep your lumbar spine upright and breathe slowly,
you naturally begin to look like a Buddha statue,
as if you are smiling.

That is proof that the Buddha-nature you were born with is manifesting.

Only when you have a calm mind,
can you accept and endure reality as it is,
come to cherish the life of all things,
and become able to give back in gratitude for the help you have received.

To new employees and others,
I teach that if you get irritated,
or fly into a rage, you cannot make sound judgments,
so first keep your lumbar spine upright,
focus energy into your abdomen, exhale slowly,
and then think.

Surely, good wisdom will come to you.

And if you come to smile,
the wonderful Buddha-nature that each of you was born with,
should begin to function as a heart of compassion.

Even when reading Zen phrases,
first keep your lumbar spine upright.

Then,
I recommend reading them aloud.

You should feel something in your body. (pages 11-15)

Expand your chest,

straighten your back,

and if you correct your posture,

your feelings will become positive,

and stress will further decrease.

Constructively, progressively, and creatively,

you will be able to think about things.

If you take a deep breath,

It also has a positive effect on the mind and body.

1. Keep your lower back upright

2. Focus your strength in your tanden

3. Take long breaths

Let's put these into practice.

(Recommended reading)
"Zen Words to Illuminate Life"
(Author: Nanrei Yokota, Chichi Publishing)
Click here to purchase↓↓↓