Make your own travel zafu

For zazen when traveling, a travel zafu is essential. The ideal travel zafu is light, collapsable, and does not take up much space in your luggage. It is not too difficult to make your own travel zafu, which is basically a zafu cover willed with an a partially inflated beach ball.  Sewing instructions for a zafu cover can be found here.  It takes about 3-4 hours, depending on how good you are with a sewing machine, and longer if you sew by hand.  You may want to consider a sturdy fabric, as outdoor zazen while traveling can be very inspiring, and the covers can get dirty.  A supply of beachballs can be ordered from various sources, and I find that the 20" size works pretty well.  Remember, the beachball will only be partially inflated.  I have tried a few things for a travel zabutan, but they are all bulky, such as yoga mats or air matresses.  If you have any suggestions, please contribute!

Beach Zazen

Traveling with family, it is hard to find the time and place for zazen.  The room at the inn was crowded with the shrapnel of clothing and stuff from 4 people.  So, I took my inflatable zafu down to the dunes by the ocean, and sat on a bluff overlooking rocks and sand.  It seemed fitting, as the travel zafu is basically a beach ball with a fabric cover.  The sound of the waves made concentrating on Mu very difficult.  A dull roar, pulsating, changing, the sound never the same, and punctuated by the gulls.  Thoughts of my family, and guilt at taking this time away from them.  Sunset, and returning to them, always, like the breath, like the koan....

Travel Practice

About once a month I travel. When it is for work, I often have some time for solitude, and am able to sit more often then I can at home. But I miss my family (still working on attachment...). I have found that planes are ideal for zazen: the drone of the engine, no pagers, cell phones, or e-mail. A flying monastic retreat. For sitting in the hotel, I have a great inflatable cushion, which is really a beachball in a zafu cover (no kidding!). But when I travel with family, finding a time and place to do zazen is almost impossible, even with a beachball zafu. After coming home, it takes several days to get back into my schedule. The balance is not easy.

NOTE:  See my more recent post for how to make your own travel zafu.