Ango Commitment Thread

[Hoyu]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Yeah I hear ya. I was thinking when I wrote those things that they were the things I would do in addition to what is mandatory for Treeleaf Ango, per Jundo sensei. Also, it sort of fits in with the things to give up (like sweets and other indulgences, large purchases, television, etc).

Gassho,

Risho

That makes sense _/_

[Taylor]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

A commitment to two zazen periods daily. Sutra/Text study twice a week. And an emphasis on my judgement of others and how to reduce it/ the underlying causes of it.

Simple enough, I think.

Gassho,
Taylor

Hello Taylor,

If I may ask, which Sutra(s) will you be going through? Just curious.

Metta and Gassho,

Saijun

Diamond, Vimalakirti, Heart Sutra, Hui-Neng, and Lotus

The shorter sutras will be gone through line by line. Chewing, digesting, assimilating, integrating, being.

And yes, Jundo, all of those bold things as well :P

Gassho,
Myoken

[Tb]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Hi.

My additional Angocomittment this year will be to eat a kilo of candy.
I will also write, read, and sew more.

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Dokan]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

I've been contemplating this thread and for me I see two separate things for my commitment. One is in line with Jundo's posts on Ango (something to give up). The other is something I'd like to commit to, that I actually enjoy but would like to be more consistent with.

- Will commit to proceeding clearly and abstain from caffeine, sodas & alcohol. (Honestly not too painful as I typically only drink a cup of coffee in morning and occasionally a beer at night, but it's something!)
- Will commit to honoring the body and abstain from any sexual impropriety. (Simply keeping my thoughts and actions pure and within the confines of my commitment to my wife.)
- Will commit to 30 minutes per day of sewing & shakuhachi practices (alternating practice between days)

Gassho,

Shawn

[Nenka]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

My additional Angocomittment this year will be to eat a kilo of candy.

NOW WE'RE TALKIN'! :twisted:

But, alas, I think I'll be giving up chocolate for a while (edited to add) because it's the one thing I eat absolutely mindlessly.

And video games. That will give more time for all the, you know, boldface stuff up there.

Jen

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

I will try and live what I believe in, not what habit drives me to do. It is a commitment, moment to moment.
Gassho
Soen

[Ankai]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Well, of course, as Jundo's early advice to me was whenever I asked any question about any topic (at one point it got to be like a punch line!) "MORE ZAZEN!"
In addition to that, I'll do what I did for my wife during Lent (she's Catholic,) and what I did last year and give up breakfast in exchange for sitting. It was tough, but I've gotten through it and gained some personal insights, and no doubt will again.

[Kyonin]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Well, I'll be practicing the Bold Typeface List of Doom, but also I will be giving up two things: bread (all types of bread, cookies, crackers, tortillas, etc) and videogames.

Tough stuff for me. Lets see how I handle all. :lol:

[Heisoku]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

I think I will relinquish my life of Spartan self-denial and also sit evening zazen regardless.
My other foible is the same as Taylor's, so I will attempt to reduce any judgementalism of myself and others and let the suchness be!

[Jundo]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

what I did last year and give up breakfast in exchange for sitting. It was tough, but I've gotten through it and gained some personal insights, and no doubt will again.

Don't do anything unhealthy in this practice. Even the Buddha and Dogen made sure to have breakfast.

My additional Angocomittment this year will be to eat a kilo of candy.

Har har.

Gassho, J

[Dokan]

Re: Re: Ango Commitment Thread

I'm thinking maybe I'll only get on the computer one hour a week during Ango, that would be interesting ...

Wow didn't think about that one! I am connected from waking up to going to bed...either with smart phone, desktop or laptop. Maybe I'll do something with this as well. Would help with one of my other commitments as well. Thanks for the idea Chugai!

Gassho,
S

[Tb]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Hi.

Hi, even though just an Unsui, and no authority of any kind, there is one thing i'd like to bring up here...

Ango is not about cutting away your "ten pounds of flesh", Ango is about living life.
Don't take away breakfast, add an extra slice of bread.
Don't take away being with your family, add an extra 5 minutes a day.
It's ok to add an extra bit of reading of sutras, of chanting, of...
But the main thing is, Ango is about living life to the fullest, don't miss that.
Don't strip your life, add to it.
Live it.

And if you fail, so what?
It's all part of the practice.
You will sometimes fail.
I failed miserably last year with one of my comittments.
That doesn't stop me from doing the same comittment this year.
The main point is not trying, but doing and comitting yourself to living life as fully as you can.

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Dokan]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

But the main thing is, Ango is about living life to the fullest, don't miss that.
Don't strip your life, add to it.
Live it.

Wonderful...thank you Fugen.

Gassho,

s

[Hoyu]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Fugen wrote:
Don't strip your life, add to it.

This is exactly my view towards what Ango means to me! I have been thinking more in terms of adding to my practice VS taking away from my life. However I do understand the importance of also giving something up as well.

Gassho,
John

[Hogen]

Re: Ango Commitment Thread

Fugen wrote:
Don't strip your life, add to it.

This is exactly my view towards what Ango means to me! I have been thinking more in terms of adding to my practice VS taking away from my life. However I do understand the importance of also giving something up as well.

Gassho,
John

addition by subtraction is a valuable thing indeed.