vow of poverty

[Tobiishi]

Re: vow of poverty

Thanks all for the comments. I knew before I started this that it was more strict than I would likely be able to do, but felt also that if I couldn't get my habits and desires under control, I wasn't really making progress. I've been following Chet's thread in that noisy room down the hall, which has helped me see the fault in the 'progress' line of thought. I appreciate having so many people here, with diversity enough in our histories and lives to be able to immediately put things in perspective.

There are things I know in some parts of my brain that just don't readily filter to other parts, where they would be helpful.

Patience.

gassho
tobiishi

[Rich]

Re: vow of poverty

Our Zen Practice is not about never losing our balance (some folks think that Buddhism is about that, about never reacting in a "human" and "negative" way, but I do not think so). It is about being able to return to our balanced, center point more easily after life knocks us for a loop. It is about getting back on the bike after we fall off.

I think the getting back on the bike after we fall off is the keep trying part. Yesterday I fell off once and was knocked off once. Getting back on the bike and keeping some sort of balance helped me deal with these situations.

Thanks all for the comments. I knew before I started this that it was more strict than I would likely be able to do, but felt also that if I couldn't get my habits and desires under control, I wasn't really making progress.
tobiishi

The old habits don't die, they just fade away. (borrowed from MacArthur) I still see the same habits and desires in me but don't worry about them or spend as much time in them. don't worry about this stuff, just maintaining your posture while sitting is progress. Remember when it changed from trying to control the balance of the bike to just riding the bike in perfect balance without control.

[Tb]

Re: vow of poverty

Our Zen Practice is not about never losing our balance (some folks think that Buddhism is about that, about never reacting in a "human" and "negative" way, but I do not think so). It is about being able to return to our balanced, center point more easily after life knocks us for a loop. It is about getting back on the bike after we fall off.

I think the getting back on the bike after we fall off is the keep trying part.

Hi.

Quite right.
But what are keeping to try, the falling off or the "being on the bike"?

And to quote one of my favourite masters

"No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Rich]

Re: vow of poverty

Our Zen Practice is not about never losing our balance (some folks think that Buddhism is about that, about never reacting in a "human" and "negative" way, but I do not think so). It is about being able to return to our balanced, center point more easily after life knocks us for a loop. It is about getting back on the bike after we fall off.

I think the getting back on the bike after we fall off is the keep trying part.

Hi.

Quite right.
But what are keeping to try, the falling off or the "being on the bike"?

And to quote one of my favourite masters

"No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

Mtfbwy
Fugen

That's interesting. So don't keep anything and just do or do not. Who was that favorite master?

[Tobiishi]

Re: vow of poverty

Oh, I know this one!

Yoda!

May the Force be with you, one and all!

gassho,
tobiishi

[Tb]

Re: vow of poverty

Hi.

The Force is strong with this one.

-Darth Vader





May the force be with you
Fugen

[Shonin]

Re: vow of poverty

Don't be discouraged! Like everyone else, I have to chime in with the whole " don't be hard on yourself" part.

It's kinda like me and smoking, tried for years to quit. Failed every time. Was so down on myself and feeling like a failure I would not pick myself back up because I didn't want to have to be a failure again.

My wife has crumbled. She is smoking again. As of today I hit two months( 8 weeks WOOHOO)..I want a cig baddddddddd.

In the past two weeks since I had to reduce the number of nicotine lozenges I question whether I will be able to keep going for much longer. And yet I keep going day by day... no cigs. Not even singular puffs. I know cigs are hiding in the house, and yet I am not drawn to search for them even remotely.

Pick yourself up, give it another go. Accept it's going to be hard...but WILL get easier.

Dave