"Sit On It"?

"Cunningham, with that Howdy Doody face,
you can only be so tough. But I'll tell you something.
Now, with a little practice, there's always hope."~The Fonz
While my Catholic upbringing (and love of beads and beer) are reminding me subconsciously that this week marks the start of the Lenten season with both Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, my e-mail from Tricycle Buddhist Review on-line has prompted me to join The Big Sit, online "course" and practice of zazen--sitting meditation in the Zen tradition. The e-mail invite came with a quote from a practitioner citing his desire to "add more discipline to my (his) practice..." This has been an ongoing challenge for me, as I have continued to read and "study" a number of books on Buddhism, but have been unable to build a steady practice of sitting regularly.

Beginning on February 23rd, the Tricycle Community will launch "The Big Sit," a 90-day Zen meditation challenge. While I heave read a number of different books and articles related to more than one subset of Buddhist practice (primarily Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, I currently would best categorize myself as a "non-denominational" explorer of sorts. The overall goal Buddhism (as a whole philosophy) is personal spiritual development in the larger interest of efficiently help all other sentient beings attain this state is an easy one to "buy into," and like most meaningful lifestyles, a challenge in applying completely. Because I am neither a member of a proper sangha nor a steady-enough "sitter," most would probably call me more of a dabbler.

At any rate, I would appreciate any support or suggestions The Big Sit folks might offer, so I've signed on. Hopefully I will be more diligent in reading the daily prompts or reminders than I currently am with those I already receive from both Tricycle and DailyOm.

Who knows, with "a little practice," the down-home wisdom of Arthur Fonzerelli may yet prove true again!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!