Proposal for Sangha Discussion: "SAT TODAY!" - Sitting Before Talking

[Jika]

I perceived of "sat today" as having two intentions.
It did not change my sitting practice, Ango was way more powerful in that respect.
But as it seems to help others, the idea is a good addition.
I liked the suggestion of having a very visible open door, maybe a sticky thread, for people who have difficulties with sitting. My practice is only a baby, maybe I'll need that thread one day. A very compassionate idea, as one might also feel inferior and worthless, as if one was the only person encountering that problem.
The second idea was posting less, and in my baby practice sitting and silence do not go hand in hand.
I agree with Sekishi that facetime, sitting together might help.
I struggle with my affection for this sangha, and the request for less words.
My ego is taking sattoday as a teaching, and will try to put words in a form supportive for our practice. Still I fail, like too much here.

Gassho,
Danny
#sattoday

If it is helping people, I'm willing to go with it.

Personally I still think that included in being here is/ should be a commitment to sit, so why a need to say so?

Respectfully,
Nindo

[Anshu Bryson]

I might say to offer an opinion on both the effect that writing it oneself and seeing it stated by others has on both one's own practice and the practice of others who may need encouragement.

In other words, we are doing this not only for the encouragement it brings us, but for the encouragement we may bring to others who may need the inspiration and reminder and "group energy" to help them along. We do this to help ourself and help others (not two, by the way).

Gassho, J

SatToday

If it is helping people, I am all for it

Gassho,

Bryson

sat today

[lorax]

As I said earlier in this thread when I started with Treeleaf Sangha over six years ago my main purpose was to accept Jundo's invitation to sit with him each day. Seeing SAT TODAY after posts on the forum has been a great reminder that a whole lot of other folks are sitting with us. I hope we continue this practice as one more link holding this far flung Sangha together.

SAT TODAY

[Sekishi]

It has had little impact on my practice one way or the other, but it sure seems like it has helped others, so I vote for continuing.

That said, personally the single biggest boost to my practice over the past few years has been from having a nearly daily "live" sitting available on Google Plus at a time convenient to my time zone (deep bows to Dosho). In addition to the SatToday initiative, is there anything we can do to bring daily Google Plus sittings to more folks? I volunteer to help in any way I can to expand this!

Gassho,
Sekishi #SatToday

I think it has been a great idea Jundo and I for one think we should continue with it. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday and about to sit right now

I am in total agreement. This has changed my practice so much, for the better

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

I think it has been a great idea Jundo and I for one think we should continue with it. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday and about to sit right now

[jizu]

Hello all,

I believe it helpful and encouraging...though a newcomer to the site in mid-October, I have not found it an intimidating or restrictive practice...

Perhaps because I don't write every day...but, I do sit and then read here every day...seeing it in everyone's posts reinforces sitting as an ordinary daily practice...when I actually write it myself in a post, it makes me think of the other aspects or practices of Zen I did not do today and I believe that helps, little by little, to either do something more or learn more...then, by reading everyone's experiences here, it becomes even more inspiring to practice...

Gassho,
Jon

#SatToday

It has encouraged me to sit on days I didn't want to. Let's keep it.

Gassho, Shawn
Sat today

[Jundo]

I might say to offer an opinion on both the effect that writing it oneself and seeing it stated by others has on both one's own practice and the practice of others who may need encouragement.

In other words, we are doing this not only for the encouragement it brings us, but for the encouragement we may bring to others who may need the inspiration and reminder and "group energy" to help them along. We do this to help ourself and help others (not two, by the way).

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Jishin]

I sit the same amount but the mind is quieter after sitting and my need to say what needs not to be said decreases. Can you imagine the type of garbage that would come out of my mind if I did not sit at all?

Gassho, Jishin

#SatToday

[Anshu Bryson]

While I was happy to follow the instruction, it don't really think it had an impact on my practice, so I don't lean one way or the other; happy to go with the group consensus, or Jundo's call.

Gassho,

Bryson

sat today

[Jishin]

It has helped me to cut down on worthless posts. Two thumbs up. :-)

Gassho, Jishin

#SatToday

[Amelia]

It has helped me to sit a lot more, do I'd like to keep it around.

Sat today, gassho.

[Jundo]

WELL, EVERYONE, TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR MONTH LONG EXPERIMENT. IS THIS POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING? IS THIS WORTH CONTINUING?

Please sum up your experiences and impressions once again.

Let's go with the group consensus!

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

PS - I am also going to ask we avoid the little mark as it might confuse newer folks. Any feeling on that too?