Gassho

For me, trying to find the Middle Way of moderation in all things is kinda like following Farmer Orville's directions to the Amish open-air market: "Well son, yer gonna falla this road about a mile 'n a half, and take the second left fork. Then yer gonna turn left where Paulson's meat shed used to be, and hang a right about two-hunnert yard before the T over the low hill."

For this reason, I'm considering leaning a bit into the ascetic side of things, without going on a hunger strike or lashing myself with leather straps or anything. My intention is to start on the summer equinox and finish on the winter equinox, and to follow something like the following rules:

-Eat only vegetables, absolutely no meat or fish. This follows the first of the five precepts.
-Abstain from caffeine. This follows the fifth precept.
-No snacking between meals. Maybe 2 meals per day, not sure.

-Carry no money, or only have what is necessary to purchase what is needed for a specific trip to the store.
-Buy nothing new for myself, except personal hygiene items.

-Sit two half-hour zazen per day minimum.

-Start a volunteer relationship somewhere (does an animal shelter count?)


So this is just off the top of my head- if anyone has comments, suggestions, or just to tell me I'm being stupid, let's have it!

Gassho,
Tobiishi