asceticism
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also ascetic practice · rejection of asceticism · higher states of consciousness · forcing yourself through the barrier · not doing it too strongly · two extremes of discipline · simplicity without austerity · jednoduchost bez askeze · austerity · askeze · forcing yourself · nutit se · spiritual zeal · vyššie stavy vedomia · vyšší stavy vědomí · pretláčanie sa cez bariéru · protlačování se přes bariéru · nerobiť to príliš silno · nedělat to příliš silně · dva extrémy disciplíny · askéza · nútiť sa · duchovný zápal · asketismus CZ
Summary
Asceticism means forcing ourselves in order to create a spiritual state. Gautama Buddha sat and starved himself with the ascetics for around six years, but he rejected ascetic practices, and Buddhism has never been asceticism: it is the middle way. Some teachers say we should force ourselves through the barrier in zazen; Mike's approach is that we can't force it, we can sit when we can sit, and if we want to continue something for a long time, it is better not to do it too strongly. Buddhist simplicity is not simplicity without any possessions, where we get rid of all our desires.
Part of ↑ middle way
Developed
if we force ourselves it creates a spiritual state – this is called asceticism, and it’s very well known
1Introductions 4: Ordinary Balance Summer 2003 — Introductions to Shobogenzo Chapters
It's not simplicity without any possessions. It's not the simplicity where we get rid of all our desires.
2One Real Teacher and Simplicity August 2014 — Banský Studenec
sat with them, starved himself with them, and pursued the same goals for around six years or so
It is very clear that Gautama Buddha himself rejected ascetic practices, and Buddhism has never been asceticism.
Mention
If you want to continue something for a long time, it's better to do it not too strongly.
5Making Dogen's Words Our Own August 2012 — Dibbavana
Some teachers say you should force yourself through the barrier.
6When the Mud Buffalo Dissolve August 2011 — Dibbavana