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LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
"Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
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LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
@ArtistMoon
I think the main idea is to find it interesting.
Here is Pema again, speaking of "loving kindness":-
When people start to meditate or to work with any kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they're going to improve, which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are. It's a bit like saying, "If I jog, I'll be a much better person." "If I could only get a nicer house, I'd be a better person." "If I could meditate and calm down, I'd be a better person." Or the scenario may be that they find fault with others; they might say, "If it weren't for my husband, I'd have a perfect marriage." "If it weren't for the fact that my boss and I don't get on, my job would be just great." And "If it weren't for my mind, my meditation would be excellent."
But loving-kindness - "maitri" - towards ourselves doesn't mean getting rid of anything. "Maitri" means we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to change ourselves. Meditation practice is not about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That's the ground, that's what we study, that's what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.
Sometimes among Buddhists the word "ego" is used in a derogatory sense, with a different connotation than the Freudian term. As Buddhists, we might say, "Well, then, we're supposed to get rid of it, right? Then there'd be no problem." On the contrary, the idea isn't to get rid of the ego but actually to begin to take an interest in ourselves, to investigate and be inquisitive about ourselves.
Still crazy after all these years! I like that thought.
😀
I think the main idea is to find it interesting.
Here is Pema again, speaking of "loving kindness":-
When people start to meditate or to work with any kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they're going to improve, which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are. It's a bit like saying, "If I jog, I'll be a much better person." "If I could only get a nicer house, I'd be a better person." "If I could meditate and calm down, I'd be a better person." Or the scenario may be that they find fault with others; they might say, "If it weren't for my husband, I'd have a perfect marriage." "If it weren't for the fact that my boss and I don't get on, my job would be just great." And "If it weren't for my mind, my meditation would be excellent."
But loving-kindness - "maitri" - towards ourselves doesn't mean getting rid of anything. "Maitri" means we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to change ourselves. Meditation practice is not about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That's the ground, that's what we study, that's what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.
Sometimes among Buddhists the word "ego" is used in a derogatory sense, with a different connotation than the Freudian term. As Buddhists, we might say, "Well, then, we're supposed to get rid of it, right? Then there'd be no problem." On the contrary, the idea isn't to get rid of the ego but actually to begin to take an interest in ourselves, to investigate and be inquisitive about ourselves.
Still crazy after all these years! I like that thought.
😀
SomeMichGuy · M
@LesDawsonsPiano ...boiling life down to a Paul Simon song seems counter to your intent.
The Biblical term for "lovingkindness" is Ḥeseḏ / Chesed / חֶסֶד
The Biblical term for "lovingkindness" is Ḥeseḏ / Chesed / חֶסֶד
LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
@SomeMichGuy You appear determined to belittle and scorn, methinks to elevate some great biblically based lifeform to the pinnacle of human endeavour and emulation!
Who is boiling down life to anything? Not me, more yourself.
I can see another blocking on the way.
😀
Who is boiling down life to anything? Not me, more yourself.
I can see another blocking on the way.
😀
Beautywithin · 36-40, F
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Beautywithin yeah thanks 🥺
LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
I tend to think that those who have "found the answer" are the most messed up. I prefer to stumble along. "The journey is home" and all that sort of thing.
That said, I've been totally messed up many a time, but here I am, walking on, "with hope in my heart" tra la la!
Sorry, not being frivolous.
All the best. Stay strong.
That said, I've been totally messed up many a time, but here I am, walking on, "with hope in my heart" tra la la!
Sorry, not being frivolous.
All the best. Stay strong.
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@LesDawsonsPiano uhmm thanks 🥺
Cheesecake · 61-69, M
Imposter syndrome? It'll pass. Keep showing up and you'll get there. Maybe go for a walk and treat yourself to a nice coffee and a cake? 😋
My daughter is going through similar as a newly graduated ceramicist in her studio co-operative. I think it's a thing with artists.
Or I may be totally wide of the mark and it's other stuff. In which case, definitely go for a walk. Helps with thinking. Good luck 🙂
My daughter is going through similar as a newly graduated ceramicist in her studio co-operative. I think it's a thing with artists.
Or I may be totally wide of the mark and it's other stuff. In which case, definitely go for a walk. Helps with thinking. Good luck 🙂
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Cheesecake uhmmm thanks i appreciate it
NerdyPotato · M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@NerdyPotato i hope so 🥺😔🫂
Tothemoonn · M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Tothemoonn hahaha you have a point on that.. but do we need to talk here in comment section 🤦🤣
Tothemoonn · M
@ArtistMoon But it’s a matter of food and death though, so yes 🤣🤣
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Tothemoonn alright 😅🤣
JestAJester · 31-35, M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@JestAJester that's so nice how i wish i can make a way doing that as well 🥺💗
JestAJester · 31-35, M
@ArtistMoon you figure it out. You gotta find that drive to change things
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@JestAJester i hope i can thanks 🙏
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JoyfulSilence · 46-50, M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Houdini uhmmm alright 🥺
CrazyMusicLover · 31-35
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@CrazyMusicLover uhmm yeah
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Fatalice it's hard
Shybutwilling2bfriends · 61-69
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Shybutwilling2bfriends i hope so 🙏🤞
thewindupbirdchronicles · 46-50, M
Entirely useless and hopeless here. Sometimes while I know that feeling hurts, it can almost be the best place to be as you have to let go of what you expect of yourself and others.... Once there, who do you have to answer to any more?
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@thewindupbirdchronicles its just really hard to live
chasingThursday · 36-40, M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@chasingThursday thanks 🫂
SethGreene531 · M
In what ways do you feel you're failing?
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@SethGreene531 yeah everytime 🤦🥺
SethGreene531 · M
@ArtistMoon I'm sorry to hear that 😞
I know it sucks right now.
Everyone goes through that.
It usually gets better eventually.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, a counselor or therapist could help you feel useful and in control again.
Work, school, family, relationships...or just life...counselors can help you.
I know it sucks right now.
Everyone goes through that.
It usually gets better eventually.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, a counselor or therapist could help you feel useful and in control again.
Work, school, family, relationships...or just life...counselors can help you.
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@SethGreene531 yeah 🥺
Ferric67 · M
Life is what's we make of it
Donotfolowme · 51-55, F
@Ferric67 not always
smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F
Can't be that bad
kutee · T
well fix it
Donotfolowme · 51-55, F
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Donotfolowme life is hard and tiring 😔
Lilnonames · F
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F
@Lilnonames thanks 💗
Moneyonmymind · 31-35, M
ArtistMoon · 31-35, F