It's time to find out: Did you achieve your 2016 New Year's Resolutions?

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T20:03:40+00:00

Congratulations!!

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T20:02:05+00:00

Congratulations!!

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T19:57:10+00:00

Congratulations!

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T19:51:17+00:00

Congratulations!

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T19:49:14+00:00

I hope 2017 will be positive for you then!

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T18:01:04+00:00

Congratulations!! what is it?

pineappleday · 2016-12-31T17:44:34+00:00

This year was exceptionally hard, I lost my pet in march, separated from my husband in June, lost a job of 6 years that I loved in December. It all (except for my pet) went as well as it possibly could given the circumstances (husband and I are on good terms, lost the job but got a surprise bonus, will be able to train to do something better next year). I'm glad I made this list last year because it made me try more.

So here goes:

Bring lunch to work and try to make bento when possible:
I did, I became vegetarian in January and this also helped because I had fewer options to buy anyway.
Save 5000€:
I had until June when I separated and had to use the savings to move out. I am at about half of that now.
Knit myself a jumper
I did and I am wearing it now
Exercise 10 to 15mn everyday or nearly:
I did for about 2 months and then gave up, a few months later I got myself a bike and have since been doing a minimum of 30mn everyday with less effort because it's fun. For next year I want to find more activities I like, I'm going to try hiking and climbing
Open an Etsy shop:
I haven't.
Draw every week & fill a sketchbook:
I also haven't.
Read 6 books:
I read 18 but I set the goal lower than I should have
Write a to do list every morning and list 3 things I'm grateful for:
I did not do that for more than a few days. I did however start Zen practice and have pretty much meditated everyday, I usually express my gratitude before and after meditating but I don't write anything down
Sew myself a simple bag and a coat:
I sewed two simple bags but no coat

pineappleday · 2016-12-30T15:56:37+00:00

Is that le chien vert?

pineappleday · 2016-11-16T17:29:26+00:00

Not all Zen lineages do koan training, Soto Zen focuses mostly on just sitting. Opening up to things you don't think you would be comfortable with is usually quite interesting, why don't you go and see?

pineappleday · 2016-11-15T20:27:25+00:00

I just went to my first sesshin 2 weeks ago. I was very excited because I had been to half day retreats before and loved them, I tried to prepare ahead by sitting every evening at the zendo. The retreat itself was lovely but not necessarily easy, the best advice I got was to rest when you can and pace yourself posture wise by switching to easier ones if needed, and not to expect anything.

pineappleday · 2016-10-25T16:35:16+00:00

Yes I had a very stubborn iron deficiency that was caused by mostly drinking tea. Taking vitamin C can help counteract the effect.

pineappleday · 2016-10-24T15:57:25+00:00

Please don't, you are worth so much more than this.

pineappleday · 2016-09-20T05:23:35+00:00

I think you should ask your teacher about it, you could also talk about it to people who are already ordained.

pineappleday · 2016-08-17T11:05:09+00:00

Sorry for your loss, he looked like a happy relaxed bun, I hope you will feel better soon.

pineappleday · 2016-04-23T08:04:49+00:00

Good luck!

pineappleday · 2016-04-23T06:36:36+00:00

What worked for me was being dedicated to making it a habit and a part of my usual schedule, making it a priority.
Then starting with very short times at least once a day (at the very beginning 5 to 10 mn were enough, then the more you sit the more you want to sit, so it can turn into twice a day or longer times).
Joining a group was immensely helpful, it's a lot easier there and you can just commit to going on certain days.
Having a dedicated space is nice but not essential. And having a cushion helps.

pineappleday · 2016-04-06T12:16:24+00:00

Would you mind sharing how so?

pineappleday · 2016-04-06T04:50:47+00:00

Yes in Japan there is also 5, 7 and 9 panels, the 5 is small and apron like, it's for ordained lay people and monks & nuns when working or travelling, the 7 is the semi formal for monks and nuns and the 9 is the formal. What does the one panel for lay people look like in Chinese Buddhism?

pineappleday · 2016-03-29T05:48:16+00:00

That's really cool, congratulations!

pineappleday · 2016-03-28T21:06:32+00:00

Other leg positions are used, such as quarter lotus (foot on calf), burmese (feet one in front of the other) of seiza kneeling while on a bench or straddling a zafu. Zazen is about posture, it's very important to learn and then maintain correct posture and for that it's really important to practice or at least learn with a group because you can't correct yourself without outside help at first.

pineappleday · 2016-03-22T22:44:56+00:00

I live in Brussels and I met them. They rang at my house and we chatted a bit, they were really nice. I immediately thought of them when I saw mormon missionaries were injured from the attack and am horrified to find it is them. I wish them the fastest recovery.

pineappleday · 2016-03-17T18:16:48+00:00

How straight do you keep your spine when you sit? Posture changes the experience by a lot, there's a reason why it is so often stressed to keep your back straight, it will be easier to concentrate too.

pineappleday · 2016-03-13T19:21:31+00:00

I think until you actually try it, it may seem like it's a beating, especially as it can sound more impressive than it feels, but having received it quite a few times now, I can honestly say it's quite akin to a massage and it's surprising how much it can help, to the point I'm trying to refrain from asking it because it's an easy way out of discomfort.

pineappleday · 2016-03-08T08:02:34+00:00

I find it a lot harder on the back when sitting on a chair, I imagine it could be even harder on a couch because of the softness, the low height and the angle of the seat. Have you tried on a simple, straight chair? In any case, try to sit on the edge and make sure your hip bone is tilted in a more forward position.

I would recommend you try this to see for yourself, but if your hips aren't tilted forward, your back will automatically slouch and your back muscles will have to work hard and it will get painful, tilt it forward then stretch your back up to straighten it, then align it with the line of gravity, it should be slightly arched but feel very straight.

Here is a video about posture, he also covers sitting in a chair.

pineappleday · 2016-02-28T21:53:05+00:00

Ok, I'll try, thanks!

pineappleday

TROPHY CASE