Question

I do not practice Zen, though in my way, I'm one of your disciples.

I feed much on information gathered on the Internet and I've attended various indigenous spiritual practices (I live in Colombia). I've stopped smoking for two months, about one year ago. I then understood how important self-control was and realized its consequences on our lives. However, I became addicted again after a single whiff. I wish I would stop again, but definitively, but after a week of struggle, I dive for it again. I know I must, but I'm to weak to keep on struggling. Can you advise me?

Answer from Master Kosen

The worst is to be at odds with ourselves. At the same time, we're addicted and anti-addiction. We wish we would stop, but we enjoy smoking too much. Eventually, we do not do anything thoroughly.  If you smoke, enjoy it. Think that maybe you'll be dead tomorrow and that it would be too bad not to enjoy it.  If you stop, see the benefits of not smoking and enjoy the improvements you get everyday.  Master your decisions.

Kosen

 

 


Mondo On the same theme : Health

Vibrations

Sometimes, just before going to sleep, I feel enormous vibrations in my body, and I hear roars in my ears. This is a very strong feeling, the noise in my ears could not be louder were I three feet from the Niagara Falls, and vibrations shake my whole body, with a delta rhythm, I think. On the other hand, I feel no fear, this ...

Avoid bringing suffering to others

I write you after having read a question about smoking in the dining room and dormitories.You've been quite clear about the fact that this does not bother you, that you didn't smoke any longer, but that led me to think about the consequences of smoking on other people. Besides smell or smoke, it is scientifically demonstrated that ...

Alzheimer

My mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease since many years. Her illness is at its final stage. Do you think she is spiritually well-off? What can I do to improve her well-being (she is bed-ridden and does not answer most stimuli)? Thanks in advance.
...

I am a ballet dancer.

Dear Master Kosen,I am a ballet dancer in Canada. I have a show on Wednesday and I am having trouble with certain steps that require me to spin around my centre axis and trust that I will land properly. I have always had an issue with balance, I feel like it reflects the lack of trust I have for myself and those around me, and the fear I have of...

Drinking

Should one avoid alcohol and marijuana completely in order to retain awareness or should one work in harmony with one's surroundings and drink and smoke when others are doing the same? I know that Deshimaru drank and seemed to not think that it is wrong. Or is moderation the way to smoking and drinking? Is it egotistical to say that one never ...

Zazen and therapy

Dear Keisen...Does zazen have some effect like psychotherapy? For example, to work through or to release what people call "traumas"? Let's say old emotional trouble and old perceptions that go with those emotional forms?Kind Regards,Jason GosnellFlorida, USA
...

Can zazen worsen a condition?

Hello kosen sensei Hope you don't mind if I make an introduction before stating my point. A few years ago I had a delirious crisis which led me to a psychiatric hospital for 10 days. That episode was presented in the form of negative thoughts and even nightmares which were imposed to me very quickly and lead me in all directions with eccentric ...


To know more about mondo

You may want to see other themes of this mondo online, or ask your own question : see Mondo online : questions to zen Master Kosen Thibaut

Subscribe to our YouTube channel


Zen meditation : retreats

Next sesshin : from 31 October 2024 to 03 November 2024 - Information and registration to this zen retreat

Autumn Camp 2024 : Zazen the méditation Zen, Caroux Temple near of Montpellier


In this living world The body that I abandon to the fire Would be miserableIf I would see in myself anything else Except wood to be burned.

Ryonen

Donate to the Sangha

Let's help the Kosen Sangha and the Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Mondo

Questions to zen Master Kosen

Boddidharma, buddhist monk

Master Kosen

Follow his teachings in the Montpellier Zen dojo and in the great sesshins at Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Kusens

Listen to and download last teachings (in french) of Master Kosen in Montpellier's dojo