Here at the frontier, the leaves fall like rain. Although my neighbors are all barbarians, and you, you are a thousand miles away, there are still two cups at my table.


Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life.

~ Wu-men ~


Sunday, December 02, 2012

The Inaugural Advent Challenge

Today begins the season of Advent in the Catholic Church. It is a time of waiting and preparation for Christmas. Advent begins four Sundays prior to Chistmas and ends on Christmas Day. Advent lasts for a little over four weeks.

As a warm up for the Lenten Challenge, I would like to issue the Advent Challenge.

Beginning today and through Christmas, in spite of the business and general insanity of the season, find a way to train every day. Do what you have to; move heaven and earth, but train every day. Even if it's just a little. No excuses.

These challenges are a form of Shuugyou Renshuu, or "Austere Training." There is a very good article about Shuugyou Renshuu right here.

I plan on tracking my progress each day on Lift, where  I've created an "Advent Challenge" habit.

Won't you join me?

9 comments:

walt said...

"Ideally ... a Shugyosha should extend their efforts (energy, concentration, and mindfulness) to all aspects of their life."

Including Advent, presumably. That's quite an article!

Challenge accepted. I even have something specific in mind.

Rick Matz said...

Do your best!

Paul said...

Challenge taken up. HK is getting cooler and cooler now....not withstanding, I vow to continue my cold-show zhan zhuang routine everyday. Any Japanese readers here doing taki-shu-gyou?

Rick Matz said...

What does the wind chill temperature get down to?

Paul said...

I reckon that the coldest should be 8-10 this winter. In a bathroom setting, there will be no chilling wind. Since water getting into an apartment is through exposed outdoor water pipes, the chilling effect is from the chilling water, as the temperature goes down. Last year I traveled to the Northern part of China, dong cold shower in hotel for outside air temperature approaching zero was still fine, 'cause the hotel room was warmed, and the water just a bit more freezing. A great way to generate chi!

Felicia said...

I'm in, too!

Rick Matz said...

Thanks everyone. Do your best.

Patrick Parker said...

I'm up for that! In fact, I have about a 9 day head start on that zhan zhuang program that you recommended. :-)

Rick Matz said...

That's terrific! The zhan zhuang practice will help to clear your head to make room for those sugarplum fairies.