Not a practice thread

[Andrew]

I like the lizard. Seems to be thinking something wise. Perhaps he likes nice quiet places where nothing is going on? 

(And you say; "Hey, what are you implying huh?!!") 

[Stefan]

Now here's a compliment for a meditator:

Perhaps he likes nice quiet places where nothing is going on?

Well, sometimes I am quite good at non-thinking, but well, I am not as good as you are implying ... yet ...

[Stefan]

but then, let's not forget: there's no "chameleon", it's an illusion only ...
shame, really ...

[Matthew]

There is no illusion beyond the words.

[Andrew]

Now here's a compliment for a meditator:

Perhaps he likes nice quiet places where nothing is going on?

Well, sometimes I am quite good at non-thinking, but well, I am not as good as you are implying ... yet ...

i should have checked your status "Still Stefan" 

[Stefan]

There is no illusion beyond the words.

"illusion" is an illusion, too ...

[Andrew]

Have you seen the film "Rango"?

It stars a chameleon and has some awesome lines in it;

"A man is nothing without enlightenment"

"No man can walk out on his own story"

A

[Stefan]

 

what is this about driving?
as soon as I drive a car, I keep cursing and swearing ... as a meditator I am watching myself while behaving like a rascal ... "smiling and noting" ... ok there's anger ... back to equanimity ... then suddenly a guy in front of me does something stupid and *bang* here I go again "stupid idiot should take the train" ...

this is weird ... there's no situation in life that makes me as angry as stupid maneuvres from other drivers ...

strange, normally I am such a nice guy 

[Andrew]

maybe too nice.

I phase in an out of that sort of thing, I was geting real aggressive and distracted when driving, and really had to pull myself up. Now I tend to just go with the flow and try and behave as if I am walking past people, lots of waiting etc. Those big metal boxes we call cars seem to tap into a primitive might is right part of the brain!

[Jeeprs]

Have got to sign out of the philosophy forum for a while. Reason: it's too easy. I can get on there and crap on about philosophical ideas for hours. Much easier to get into than sitting, but sitting is so much more satisfying and useful.

There is a guy on there who is really a very nice person, and very smart. He comes up with the most interesting objections to what I write. He is always polite, which is an effort, because I am sure I am very annoying a lot of the time. But the thing is, and it is something I really can't explain to this poster, he hasn't realised the first noble truth. In other words, he really doesn't get that there is something the matter with the way everyone and everything is, and that you need to understand philosophy (and practice meditation, although I haven't pressed that) so as to mend this problem.  So, of course, he is a science-type dude. Everything positive, bright and shiny, and scientific. So I keep saying, can't you see beyond that perspective? But - no idea. He is, as I say, very smart. But then he get's frustrated, because he can't understand where I'm coming from. 'Why do you say that? What proof is there of that?' I guess, if you don't see it, you don't see it. But isn't this what philosophy is for? Make you question your sense of what's normal?

Eh, life's too short. I am going to make a sign for the mirror right next to my bed which says: get up and sit so I don't keep sleeping in. Sit, read, practice, work, mind the house. That's about it.

[Andrew]

I'll give you some advice a mate gave me, just ask yourself 'Who is this one sleeping in?' 

[Andrew]

as a meditator I am watching myself while behaving like a rascal ...

Rascal Meditation (RM), the newest of the new techniques.

[Stefan]

today I had a beautiful session ... no, two beautiful sessions ...

my daughter finished her first childrens course (Goenka style). when we fetched her, we stayed for an hour in the place and I sat down in front of the Dhamma hall for meditation. Suddenly my son (I wrote about him, he has this Down syndrom and is now 4 years old) ... well my son came along and sat down on my crossed legs and remained there, not moving for many minutes ... he sat with me.

Now, evening time, after my daughter (eleven) told me everything about the course (omg girls at this age can talk forever without fetching breath), we sat together for a short period (she was too excited to remain calm for longer than some minutes).

So today is the first day I sat together with my children ... what a beautiful day, what a beautiful day ...

[Mungo]

  ^^Made my day^^ 

My little monster daughter is also eleven and I know what you mean about the talking haha. Its like they take in everything, colour it in, put sparkles on it and then spray it back out under high pressure.

What a beautiful day indeed...

[Andrew]

I'm just going to creep in here, sit down, and soak up the good vibes. bewdiful.

[Vivek]

So today is the first day I sat together with my children ... what a beautiful day, what a beautiful day ...

Beautiful indeed

[chintan]

I can imagine.. I sit with my dad sometimes and it indeed is beautiful..

[mettajoey]

I can imagine.. I sit with my dad sometimes and it indeed is beautiful..

I can't imagine that at all.  My father has never even once picked up the phone to call me, much less do something together; other than drink.

I'm in a culture were maybe 5-10% ever have or do meditate.  To 50% meditators would be a curiosity; and to 40% we'd be practicing witchcraft or satanic worship.  I pretty much keep it to myself in the general populace.

Sitting with family must be wonderful.  I wonder if I'll ever get my partner to do it with me....

[Matthew]

Stefan, that is most moving. M

[Vivek]

I wonder if I'll ever get my partner to do it with me....

Hard to predict, Joey, but, as your practice gets deepened, its effects cannot be withheld for long and soon it will have its impact on others, including your partner. This could lead to your partner taking up the practice eventually. There is a chance, that's all.

[Stefan]

 

I'd like to tell everyone that I am still with you all.
I am not gone, I simply need a break.

"Truth" is beautiful, but "being right" is of no importance at all.
Did "being right" ever make anyone happy? On the contrary!
Happiness is not achieved by forcing your own little glimpse of truth upon others. Neither for you nor for the others.

oh well ...

[Andrew]

thanks for that Stephan, I'm glad you are still around, my heart leapt to see 'not a practice thread' in the unread posts!

[Matthew]

...
"Truth" is beautiful, but "being right" is of no importance at all.
Did "being right" ever make anyone happy? On the contrary!
Happiness is not achieved by forcing your own little glimpse of truth upon others. Neither for you nor for the others.

oh well ...

I was reminded of a little article I wrote in 2006:

Stop Being Right and Start Being

One of the most harmful habits and one of the hardest habits to break is the habit of being right all the time. By being right one sets the other up to be wrong, one instigates conflict from the outset. This way one is always at loggerheads with someone about something. Others who like to be right all the time will spot the challenge you pose and will rise to it time and time again.

It it a good place to start meditation practice “in action”. Spot the moments when “being right” arises. Spot the ensuing thought patterns as they manifest and solidify into the sure knowledge you are right. Spot what follows: there is a rise of tension and even anger as you prepare for battle. Your body runs on stress when you are right all the time.

Using a meditation like this one slowly becomes more and more aware of these patterns, or habits of thinking that lead to negative emotions, actions and words. By becoming more aware or awake one recognises earlier the signs of trouble and stands guard against the mistaken attitude and then by chipping away at the habit with this awareness, you one day find you no longer need to be right. Instead being is itself a pleasure and a joy.

[Stefan]

Stop Being Right and Start Being
...

Good one!

[Stefan]

Non-practicing of bad habits is very beneficial, maybe more beneficial than trying to adopt good habits.

We all know this from childhood: it takes five minutes to ravage your room, and then it takes the whole day to clean up ...