(keywords) (slightly edited version) Frustration, self mortification, guiding principles, idealism, sailing, bearings, prevailing conditions, sticky rice, ethos, eat little, sleep little, speak little, balance, tolerating tension, dilemma, samatha and vipassana, Pat Stoll, Dhamma and Vinaya, monarchy and parliament, deluded personalities, thinking we are special, tycoons, politicians, meditators, ascetic practices, misidentification, Dhammapada 11 – 12, compulsive judging disorder, modesty, balk at the idea, openness, softness, commitment, vulnerable.