Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

**Kent** · 08-28-2009, 11:00 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango

I swear too, I'm give'n it up.

Kent

**Kent** · 08-28-2009, 11:07 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango

Tobiishi, the should have read" I swear 'sometimes', and I'm givi'n it up".

**Tobiishi** · 08-29-2009, 03:07 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Giving up swearing? Hadn't thought of that one...

**Kevin** · 08-29-2009, 05:41 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

I'm giving up frivolous, self-indulgent, "retail therapy" purchases and trying to go a full 100 days without raising my voice in anger (or acting out in any other way). A tall order, but I'm hopeful, and I know the practice will be good, no matter the outcome.

Also, sitting 20 mins each day, twice when possible, and exercising regularly, in addition to the list Jundo posted.

Gassho,
Kevin

Tb · 08-29-2009, 08:31 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Hi.

First i thought of giving up Internet and blogging/forums, but then i had to reconsider...

Well, since january i have been trying to live more "in the spirit that came up from the ANGO", give up on something, practice more and be more here and with others, so this is more like an extension.
And to add, i started with the "ANGO" a little earlier, namely 1 august, when i and Filur moved to the new apartment.
Seemed like an "good startingpoint".
I am currently sitting at least one sitting (trying for two, one in the morning/at work and one at home), not viewing TV (except when Filur is around), Not drinking alcohol, trying to excersise some, and use the bicycle more, and some other things.

All is going well, it's just adding to what i already did.

Mtfbwy
Fugen

**Rich** · 08-29-2009, 10:44 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

In honor of the first day of Ango and my practice, I will do a mid-day 30 min sitting in addition to my normal am/pm.

**Fran** · 08-29-2009, 01:55 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

I didn't ask to have my name added to the scroll in Treeleaf, but I'm going to try to participate nonetheless.

I'm going to add an AM sitting, metta verse practice, and daily exercise. I like Kevin's idea of going 100 days without raising my voice in anger or otherwise acting out, so I'm going to take that up too. I'm also going to try eating mindfully -- right now I pretty much shovel everything down as fast as it will go in.

Did Jundo post a link to Instructions for the Cook? I found it on Google, but I'd like to study the same translation as the rest of the group.

Sincerely,
Fran

**Jundo** · 08-29-2009, 03:17 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Hi,

I will post the text of Instructions for the Cook when we begin to look at that, during the coming week.

Let me also post here a short chant to recite, orally or within, before meals. You may also add to it, or write your own ...

(Hands in Gassho) This food comes from the efforts
of all sentient beings past and present,
and is medicine for nourishment of our Practice.
We offer this meal of many virtues and tastes
to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha,
and to all life in every realm of existence.
May all sentient beings in the universe
be sufficiently nourished.

Let me also add that the entire experience of Ango is much like sewing a Rakusu (for those who have or will do so). It is not a matter of finishing, achieving something or winning a race. There is no "finish line" at the end of 100 days. It is just this moment, and this moment and this moment. This stitch, and this stitch, followed by this stitch.

We try to be diligent and careful --but-- if we do slip and fall ...... we simply dust ourselves off, get up, and continue on. In other words, try not to fall off the horse. But if you do fall off at some point, just get back on.

The point is the journey, not merely the destination. In fact, the journey is the destination. 8)

AGAIN: COMMIT TO WHAT YOU CAN (BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR VOWS) ... AND STICK WITH IT.

Gassho, Jundo

**KellyRok** · 08-29-2009, 03:22 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Hello all,

_/_

Okay, Ango here we go! I commit to the following:

* sit at least 25-30 minutes everday
* add another sitting in the evening each day
* give up peanut butter for the 100-day period - I'm slightly addicted to the stuff
* limit my use of (excesses of) food, money, water (for bathing), and television
* sit with each Saturday Zazenkai - the recorded version, as Saturdays are filled with sports
* volunteer to help in my kids' school as much as they need me
* perform samu on a daily basis
* participate in and study readings and discussions on Treeleaf
* I already volunteer for Literacy Volunteers - but I will be mindful when preparing my lessons for my student and be mindful during our tutoring sessions
* be a better listener
* sit the 2-day Rohatsu retreat

I look forward to this time of deepening my practice with all of you.

Gassho,
Kelly (Jinmei)

Al · 08-29-2009, 04:02 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Hi all. Just sharing my commitments:

- Sit 20 minutes each day.
- Read some Dharma each day.
- Give up complaining. (This will be my most challenging vow.)
- Give up eating at restaurants during lunch breaks. (Pack myself a lunch every day instead of eating at restaurants.)
- Participate in the Saturday morning sits (Some live, some I will have to participate in the recorded versions.)

Thank you for the opportunity to practice.

**Tobiishi** · 08-29-2009, 09:07 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

The point is the journey, not merely the destination. In fact, the journey is the destination. 8)

In Donald Miller's newest book, he quotes someone on this topic to the more specific point: Searching for the meaning of life changes you... the point of life is not the meaning, but the change.

Ango will change all of us. I would suggest there is no meaning to it, but an underlying current of possible change. When Ango is finished, it ceases to exist. The ways in which it changes us will endure, in the sense that anything does.

Gassho
Tobi

(ps- does anyone happen to know the term for a gassho with fingertips touching the forehead? I've lost the reference, but I do it all the time and would like to know!)

**Jikyo** · 08-29-2009, 10:36 PM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Hi all,

In addition to Jundo's suggested commitments (participation, daily sit-a-long, Saturday sits, etc.), my specific Ango commitments are:

- Two 20 minute (or longer) sits per day.
- Give up chocolate and peanut butter (this will be v. hard as a spoonful of peanut butter studded with vegan chocolate chips is a staple in our house :shock: ).
- Donate several hours of my time per week to my local food bank (I start this week) and increase our monthly financial contribution to same.
- Daily dharma study.
- On 8/1 James and I committed to avoid purchasing anything new for one year, except for essentials (food) or replacing a broken item needed for daily household operation (like a stove or fridge). I'm reaffirming that commitment here.

I look forward to this journey with everyone.

Gassho, Jean

**Myoshin** · 08-30-2009, 01:23 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

First impressions.

Well I must say today has been rather hectic it was move in day for college freshmen. I must say college is nothing that I expected it to be. It was cool though to see that my roommate had a few Buddhist books, so it provides a bit of understanding of why I will be sitting on a round black cushion for a period of time. I am going to try to stay on track with Ango, but it is going to be tough with these classes and such. I will do my best, on and off the zafu. Besides memorizing enzymes and other fun biological elements is part of our practice as well. So I wish everyone a good Ango!

Deep Gassho,
Kyle

**Jundo** · 08-30-2009, 02:33 AM

Re: Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Originally posted by Tobiishi

(ps- does anyone happen to know the term for a gassho with fingertips touching the forehead? I've lost the reference, but I do it all the time and would like to know!)

Hi Tob,

I am not sure what you are describing. Maezumi Roshi wrote this on the most common forms of Gassho, They vary based on formaility and setting (for example, a formal greeting or just meeting someone passing in a hall, to someone higher or lower than one in the Monastery pecking order, whether meant for a ceremony and having symbolic meaning, etc.) ...

http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/Note ... zumi_Roshi

Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

Experiencing Ango - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANGO EXPERIENCES HERE

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