vow of poverty

[Tb]

Re: vow of poverty

Since I've taken up the martial arts, I ran across a saying: "A black belt is a white belt who kept trying." (or something vaguely like that)

Hi.

This would be a good place to quote another master...

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

But what's the belt for really?
Well, for one, it's to keep your clothes in order...

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Jundo]

Re: vow of poverty

ways to describe my practice and vow of poverty these last few weeks:

pathetic, disastrous, non-existent, embarassing, defeated, failure.

I lasted about three days. I snacked, I got really hungry and had one of those delightful angus burgers at McD's, I stopped sitting in shame. I stopped posting. I stopped visiting the sangha daily, then down to once every 5 or 6 days.

I've managed to stop pouting internally over my failure to remain committed, mostly because I have come to know myself over the past few months by being here with you and zazen-ing.

I'm not asking for or expecting sympathy, condolences or anything like that. I'm the one who needs to say I'm sorry for not doing what I said I would, for putting on a pair of shoes that didn't fit.

I'm going to start sitting again and pretend I'm just back from the shitter or something... whaddaya lookin at? ops:

It sounds like excellent practice. The "Stumbling & Falling Down" Koan.

[Tobiishi]

Re: vow of poverty

ways to describe my practice and vow of poverty these last few weeks:

pathetic, disastrous, non-existent, embarassing, defeated, failure.

I lasted about three days. I snacked, I got really hungry and had one of those delightful angus burgers at McD's, I stopped sitting in shame. I stopped posting. I stopped visiting the sangha daily, then down to once every 5 or 6 days.

I've managed to stop pouting internally over my failure to remain committed, mostly because I have come to know myself over the past few months by being here with you and zazen-ing.

I'm not asking for or expecting sympathy, condolences or anything like that. I'm the one who needs to say I'm sorry for not doing what I said I would, for putting on a pair of shoes that didn't fit.

I'm going to start sitting again and pretend I'm just back from the shitter or something... whaddaya lookin at? ops:

[will]

Re: vow of poverty

Remember the middle way.

Gassho

Re: vow of poverty

That does sound like an amazing slice of pie. I might have to try that sometime.

Caffeine withdrawal is one of the worst things, I have only had a slight experience, but it was enough for a long time memory of the headache.

Gassho,
Kyle

[Shugen]

Re: vow of poverty

Thanks for the pizza idea. I think we've grilled just about everything else. Hang in there!

Ron

[Tobiishi]

In reference to this: http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1692

On the practical side of things, I woke up this morning without the caffeine headache that throbbed in the back of my skull most of yesterday, and truly not snacking between meals at all sucks.

Had a cookout (vegetarian pizza on the grill) with my dad & brother Sunday, and opened up a bit to my dad about what I'm doing. He had some interesting questions about basic Buddhist stuff. I gave him the url for my blog about a month ago, so if he's read it he knows I gave up the faith he raised me with. (I'm not too worried about it because he's always had one foot in the church and one out anyway)

Special note about pizza on the grill: make a slightly dense pizza dough; roll it out in an amorphous, organic blob-shape and grill on one side until mostly done, preferably over indirect heat; flip over on pan and decorate cooked side with your favorite herb tomato sauce and pre-grilled veggies (or pepperoni and sausage for all you heathens out there :wink: ) and cheese, and deposit back on the grill till cheese is beautifully browned on the bubble-tops. For added flavor, knead fresh herbs, garlic and onion into the dough before cooking.

btw, I have not managed to sit 60 minutes yet. 40 on sunday, 30 yesterday. Too much stuff going on, and I fall asleep!

gassho
tobiishi