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Best Of

Re: Exercise

Everything is working quite well. The formula of long walks, intermittent fasting (two meals and no (or light) dinner) and dieting is working pretty well. I am sticking to turkey for meat, sometimes chicken.

I have revisited the plant healing thread and was watching Joe Rogan's interview of Michael Pollen and pretty good advice and information there. I after entered the plant-based diet rabbit hole.

On a small note, thank goodness I'm not that into coffee. I sometimes drink one cup of black tea in the morning and then stick to rooibos or an infusion (infusión in Spanish, maybe I translated this word wrong).

About pushups, pullups, dips... Meh. Still lazy about that. I am trying to get my 10minute Qi Gong routine going first. I usually do it after my morning zazen. I find it more fun. I was considering on "rucking" but the equipment is quite pricey. I'm on a "don't buy anymore stuff, get rid of stuff you don't need" phase and I found this as another trap that would make this endeavour even harder.

Kotishka

Re: What documentary are you watching?

@Shoshin1 said:
For 'real' chocolate lovers

I buy Whittaker's dark chocolate 72% cocoa

I used to buy Lindt "Flor de Sal" which was 47% cacao and salt. After this, I'm sticking to Torras 100% cacao. I checked the ingredients and only pure cacao paste and no dodgey child-exploitation (for now..) ... I think it is important to share these videos and alternatives (your brand is not available where I live but I will keep an eye open for it) as a bit of Buddhist economics is a great way to continue and extend our practice to our day to day lives. Well, for those inclined in the "socially-engaged" aspect of Buddhism.

Kotishka

Re: What is my practice? Where is my practice? Who is my teacher?

@Kotishka said:
. Meanwhile I practice shikantaza...that being.... I face the wall, eyes slightly open, straight back, and bam: let it start baby!

Hey Kotishka
Of course, one could always consider turning around and facing the other half of existence.
Bad zen joke!

A mind seeking a teacher or a better explanation of a practice, is not in itself a sign of a lost pilgrim. If you have a practice that allows an objective observation of the incoming data feeds of all your sense gates and can allow them a collegial co-existence with each other, equanimity and suffering's reductions will inevitably follow.

If you ever again think you're lacking because of the absence of a teacher, consider that whatever makes you reluctant to practice in any moment is actually your real teacher.
Forget about your strengths in meditation; they will take care of themselves.
Like the spokes of the 8 fold path where the entire wheel is only as strong as the weakest spoke, your meditative progression can simply be buttressed by how you practice wherever you are least inclined to meditate. Here, the right teaching for you might exist where ever its hardest for you to meditate.
Cheers
H.