[Engaged] LAH suggestions for Ango

[Shoka]

Ango is a special time of year for the sangha, it is a time when we come together and deepen our practice. For me it’s like a time to dust away the cobwebs which have maybe been forming in the corners of my practice. So with that in mind, let’s all dust away the cobwebs around LAH and volunteer service.

The current Partner Practice Exercise is related to LAH and service, so I thought it would be a good time to have everyone give examples and ideas of things you could do for LAH.

Also please give ideas for one day volunteer service projects and long term volunteer opportunities.

And as always please share what you are doing! Remember Gojo is around to post anonymously for you.

[Beakon]

I am currently writing down my ideas for my 2nd official 'Ango' with Tree Leaf, the last one was unrefined. I wrote down a list of five things I'd like to accomplish, so I can stay motivated during our dwelling period. A book I am currently reading is titled "Life of a Daymaker", which a hairdresser describes his profession as someone who makes someone's day very happy. I am currently job seeking while unemployed, I am trying to be an active member of the community by participating in events and classes. Also, I'd like to add that I will be making my mala beads necklace as well. It's a project that I have shelved for a year now, so this would make a good time to complete the project.


What Will Beakon Be Doing?


1. Tinkertown Day of Fun: I went to a carnival where I used the rides as therapy to get an adrenaline boost, not just to amuse myself, I also got in touch with my inner child and celebrated life with my friends and wife.

2. Taiko Drumming Workshop: The Japanese Cultural Centre in Winnipeg is putting on a Taiko Drumming Workshop for teenagers, and also adults who are interested in trying Taiko. I will be participating there, because I often listen to Taiko Drumming music to "refill" my spirit.

3. Zazenkai & Sangha Participation: I am going to increase my time spent with The Tree Leaf Sangha during our Sunday Sit's and Weekly Zazenkai to help me improve my practice of liturgy and zazen. I will be asking for mentorship on Shikantaza and improving schedule for meditation times.

4. Qi Gong & Tai Chi Class: There is a Qi Gong and Tai Chi Class that is taught in the neighborhood nearby Osborne Village where I reside. I need to participate in classes, also exercise to help me improve my mood and concentration.

5. Community Involvement: I am putting my name in for several events to volunteer for such as our local Comic Con, the 2nd annual Veg Fest, A Dog Fundraiser, and Fem Fest. I may help a friend who also has ADD with her bake sale.

[Kyonin]

Hi Shoka,

I have been thinking a lot how poor people become invisible. We tend to ignore them, or to look down onto them.

Maybe a nice activity would be to get involved in a group or organization that helps combat poverty in our communities?

Perhaps giving time working at a food bank would be a good idea.

I'll sit with this a little more

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Tairin]

Hi Shoka,

I have been thinking a lot how poor people become invisible. We tend to ignore them, or to look down onto them.

Maybe a nice activity would be to get involved in a group or organization that helps combat poverty in our communities?

Perhaps giving time working at a food bank would be a good idea.

I'll sit with this a little more

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

A couple of weeks ago I came across a person here in town who presumably lives on the street although I don’t know. He was carrying a cardboard sign with a single word written on it. “Forgotten”. That really struck home to me. This wasn’t a person who felt they were seen but could be ignored. This was a person who felt completely left behind and abandoned.

I’d like to be able to say that I took that opportunity to LAH or money or some assistance but it wasn’t s good moment for me to stop and help. So unfortunately even though he was temporarily seen he ended up being ignored Not forgotten though. That moment and my lack of action has stuck with me and hopefully I will act better in another opportunity.


Tairin
Sat today

[Beakon]

Last night my wife went for a walk, she bought a homeless person a slice of pizza from a nearby pizzaria. She told me, they asked "what did you do to the pizza?". She felt sorry that some of these people were mistreated like that in the past, because they are homeless, and society looks down on them.

[Kotei]

Hello,

there is a campaign from a christian social welfare organisation in my hometown.
Huge advertisement posters through the city just with the words:
"Unerhört! diese Obdachlosen (#zuhören)"
which has two meanings.
the most obvious: "outrageous, these homeless"
and the one, after thinking about it: "unheard, these homeless (#listen)".

Gassho,
Kotei just sat.

[Eva]

Thank you, Tairin, for sharing .
That person is in my thoughts as well .

Gassho, eva

sattoday and also LAH

[Shoka]

A couple of weeks ago I came across a person here in town who presumably lives on the street although I don’t know. He was carrying a cardboard sign with a single word written on it. “Forgotten”. That really struck home to me. This wasn’t a person who felt they were seen but could be ignored. This was a person who felt completely left behind and abandoned.

I’d like to be able to say that I took that opportunity to LAH or money or some assistance but it wasn’t s good moment for me to stop and help. So unfortunately even though he was temporarily seen he ended up being ignored Not forgotten though. That moment and my lack of action has stuck with me and hopefully I will act better in another opportunity.


Tairin
Sat today

Tairin,

I think it's important to recognize that we can't always stop and help but as you said at the moment you acknowledged him and he wasn't forgotten. And perhaps in the future there will be an opportunity to help more directly.


Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Shoka]

Hey everyone,

So some ideas I came up with.

Around the neighborhood

* pick up trash when it's laying around
* pick up after other people's pets (it's builds up when we don't all pick it up)
* Smile and say Hello to everyone I pass (I tend to avoid people)

At work (I work in construction, so these might not be applicable to everyone)

* watch for safety concerns and have them fixed right away
* Smile and talk to the guys (often they get ignored as "just workers")
* Bring baked goods for the workers or for meetings (we all hate meetings, cupcakes make it better.)
* Think before sending emails if my reply is helpful or not.

Around the house or inside activities

* Send thank you or thinking of you cards
* Donate books to local charities

Larger Volunteer Ideas

* Volunteer for trail maintenance or clean up
* Volunteer for beach clean up days
* Research winter homeless shelters for opportunities for service


Gassho,

Shoka
sat+lah

[Joyo]

If you live in a colder climate, schools are always in need of mittens, warm coats, ski pants, because sadly there are children sent to school without these essential items to keep them warm.

Various schools also take perishable food donations for lunches as there are children who are not sent to school with a proper lunch, or with any lunch at all.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Beakon]

A party without a cake is just a meeting - Julia Child

[Kyoshin]

Posting in this forum could be LAH. Especially for those of us for whom social interaction, even on a online forum, is difficult sometimes. I know I've stopped myself from posting by saying "no, that's stupid" when it probably really wasn't, or by being nervous about saying vulnerable things, or worried about people's reaction. But I've read so many posts here that have been helpful to my practice and life, and people here have unknowingly lent me a hand with their comments. So post! You never know who might be helped by your words. Even if you think it's stupid! It probably isn't. But even if you're completely off the rails, we can learn from that too! It gives Jundo an opportunity to pop in and say "maybe that's not quite right" [emoji16]
All jokes aside, this is an amazing community, and it grows and thrives as people make posts.
Gassho
Nick
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Jakuden]

Posting in this forum could be LAH. Especially for those of us for whom social interaction, even on a online forum, is difficult sometimes. I know I've stopped myself from posting by saying "no, that's stupid" when it probably really wasn't, or by being nervous about saying vulnerable things, or worried about people's reaction. But I've read so many posts here that have been helpful to my practice and life, and people here have unknowingly lent me a hand with their comments. So post! You never know who might be helped by your words. Even if you think it's stupid! It probably isn't. But even if you're completely off the rails, we can learn from that too! It gives Jundo an opportunity to pop in and say "maybe that's not quite right" [emoji16]
All jokes aside, this is an amazing community, and it grows and thrives as people make posts.
Gassho
Nick
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Thank you Nick!!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH

[Jundo]

It gives Jundo an opportunity to pop in and say "maybe that's not quite right" [emoji16]

Well, that's not quite right.

Actually, it is. Thanks for helping me too.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Hensho]

I was struggling with what to do for my Ango LAH because I really don't have stretches of free time right now that could be used volunteering for an agency or group. Then I remembered that I knit! It's portable and can be done in quick bursts. There's been touching comments about our homeless on this thread and winter is coming, so I'm going to knit up a batch of hats. It would be a privilege to help keep some folks warm this winter.

Thank you, Treeleaf, for helping me think through different ways of serving others.

-Kate
Sitting soon, I promise!
LAH