Over the years, I have seen different people coming out with various creative ways to deal with practice commitments. For example, some will discuss with their gurus privately and somehow manage to negotiate their way out of a practice commitment.Terma wrote: ↑Sat Aug 13, 2022 11:14 pmReally? I understand the notion that we are all free to do what we please, but when your guru gives a practice commitment and one just decides to disregard it, does that not go against your guru's wishes?Malcolm wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:31 pmPractice commitments are voluntary. And if you find you don't really gel with a practice, there is no reason to continue with it. Of course, when teachers give important cycles, they want people to take them seriously. But there is actually no _samaya_ to do this or that practice. These commitments are given to discourage the idly curious.Konchog1 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 8:04 pm
How does this work for people who switch traditions? I know a few zen teachers who talk about how they were formerly Vajrayana practitioners and I would guess they have some practice commitments? Maybe they haven't abandoned them and do it in private, but I feel it could be hard balancing the two practices.
Pretty slippery slope with this one I think.
Some gurus allow their students to maintain their samaya by reciting a bare minimum of mantras even when they are sick but commented how doing that does not advance one's path at all and insist on daily practices being the key to move forwards in their path towards Buddhahood.
Finally there are others who did the concise version (to save time) instead of middle length or elaborate sadhanas which are actually the ones that beginners should practice. (concise for the pros who know what is going on)