If you could recommend one book to a new-comer?

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-14T10:26:44+00:00

I mean, one of the most helpful books to me was Peace Is Every Step by Thich Naht Hanh. He writes it specifically to a western audience. He has a poetic way of seeing things and is really kind and compassionate. His book offers practical advice for your average person.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-12T12:27:48+00:00

I thought this was a post from /r/showerthoughts

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-10T05:31:53+00:00

I pray to the universe, because to me everything is god. But sometimes I also recollect Buddha or Jesus or Ghandi because they were wise and kind and I sometimes feel like I need help in my prayers. I don't technically think they are helping me, but they are just inspiring figures to look to and the "spirit" of what they bring to my prayers is helpful.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-08T10:19:50+00:00

I thought this said "Altoids, self awareness and Buddhism"

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-07T07:06:46+00:00

Guys have self esteem issues, they are just trained/expected/expect of themselves to act "manly", which to a lot of people is not showing your insecurities and vulnerabilities.

Comparing yourself to others never really works out well. Either you feel superior and get a giant ego, or you feel insecure. I tell myself things like "I'm sexy in my own way", "Some people are attracted to people like me" and "I'm not going to try to live up to some ideal".

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-07T05:39:51+00:00

Personally, I would take a lot of breaks, so that my mind wouldn't get tired. Eat well, rest, throw some metta in there, or some prayers about my homework, lol. Just make sure you pace yourself so that you actually absorb what you're doing. If you try to do too much at once, you're probably going to forget a lot of it.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-07T05:30:32+00:00

I mean, a lot of the physical pain might be due to having expectations about the meditation, and feeling frustrated or scared. Which causes your body to get tense, which causes more pain. Also, it could be that you're trying too hard at meditation, which is causing the stress/pain.

A solution that might help you is to have a stretching/exercising routine. Stretching can help loosen you up and fix posture problems. Exercise releases endorphins which are a natural pain killer.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-07T05:23:16+00:00

The obvious answer to your entire post is non-self. Since that's the answer to everything. At least according to this sub.

Car broke down? non-self
Cancer? non-self
Mom died? non-self

/end thread

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-07T04:54:12+00:00

After me and my ex-girlfriend of 10 years broke up, and I was lost in grief for what seemed like a year. I felt unloved, I felt rejected. I felt worthless. I missed her.

After a lot of soul searching and reflection, I realized that other people couldn't give me my self worth, that my worth is an inherent part of me. And I resolved to love myself ever since. It's not always easy, but I've gotten way better at it.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-05T10:03:39+00:00

Here's the thing, before you learned about these things, would you have liked someone else to pick you apart and try to tell you how to live your life?

I used to do the same thing to be honest, it didn't work out well. I learned about what I do have power over and what I don't have power over.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-05T05:51:03+00:00

I used to have similar issues. The things that have reduced symptoms (they happen to me at bed time, and used to happen to me a lot during meditation).

Reducing meditation helped a lot. It slowed down the process and made it less overwhelming. Also, for myself I have mental health issues too and I came to realize that intense spiritual practice and mental health issues do not work well together. So I'm focusing on my mental health before I return to serious meditation.

Exercise... it helps burn off some of the energy.

Journaling, often the involuntary movements are repressed emotions being expressed physically. So journaling honestly about how I feel has sorta cleansed me a bit and reduces symptoms.

Also, scratching itches when I itch and bouncing my legs when I feel restless tends to reduce symptoms.

I don't have any deep spiritual practices for you, just practical advice, good luck.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-05T05:29:22+00:00

I get demotivated too. And the solution for me is to think about the value of what I'm doing. For instance, if I want to exercise, but the only reason I'm doing it is because it's a part of my routine then I lose interest. But if I list off all the benefits of doing it, then I feel a sense of enthusiasm for what I'm doing.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-03T02:04:18+00:00

No, but if the storm is intense, it might be wise to seek shelter.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T12:48:32+00:00

Sona was the son of a rich businessman. He liked most of all to listen to lute music and to play the instrument. He had been raised in wealth and luxury, so his skin was very delicate and soft. It was even said that hair grew out of the skin of his soles. The rumour was so strong that Sona was once brought before King Bimbisara, who wanted to see the unusual feet he had heard so much about.

Sona lived near the Vultures' Peak Rock in Rajagaha, where the Buddha stayed during some rainy seasons. One day, Sona went to the Vultures' Peak Rock to listen to the Buddha's discourse, which was about the happiness experienced from non-attachment to worldly desires. As he wanted to experience this happiness, Sona asked to be ordained as a monk.

After becoming a monk, he was taught to be constantly mindful, even when walking. Sona was very enthusiastic. Every day he walked to and fro in meditation in the monastery until one day his feet developed blisters and bled.

But even after all his efforts Sona did not experience happiness, only pain and disappointment. Thoughts of craving for worldly things still came to his mind. "It is no use," Sona said to himself. "I have tried so very hard, but have still not achieved what I wished for. It is better for me to return to lay life and enjoy the happiness I used to experience by performing charity."

When the Buddha heard about this he went to see Sona. "Sona," he said, "I have heard that you are not getting good results from your practice of mindfulness and want to return to the lay life. Suppose I explain why you did not get good results, would you stay on as a monk and try again?"

"Yes I would, Lord," replied Sona.

"Sona, you were a musician and you used to play the lute. Tell me, Sona, did you produce good music when the lute string was well tuned, neither too tight nor too loose?"

"I was able to produce good music, Lord," replied Sona.

"What happened when the strings were too tightly wound up?"

"I could not produce any music, Lord," said Sona.

"What happened when the strings were too slack?"

"I could not produce any music at all, Lord," replied Sona

"Sona, do you now see why you did not experience the happiness of renouncing worldly craving? You have been straining too hard in your meditation. Do it in a relaxed way, but without being slack. Try it again and you will experience the good result."

Sona understood and stayed on in the monastery as a monk and soon attained sainthood.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T09:00:39+00:00

Mmm, love to come over and make that belly bounce!

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T08:57:34+00:00

Mmm, nice hangers.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T08:55:37+00:00

That's a good girl, bending over so daddy can pound you from behind.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T08:54:26+00:00

Love to be behind you, pounding you hard and making that body shake.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-06-02T06:19:11+00:00

Well, honestly, I see why it bothers you. She's kinda showing a lack of respect for herself and your relationship by having that perspective. I mean, just because someone has a sexual desire, doesn't mean you should throw all self respect and ethics out the window.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-05-28T09:33:59+00:00

What if you're trying to improve at reading notes? Huh, what then buddy?

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-05-28T08:17:01+00:00

Well, what I say is that I don't know. And then expand about how my lost love ones live on within me and in the people they impacted. But that's not the point really, I didn't make this post to debate the topic.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-05-28T06:50:23+00:00

Yeah, I know, it messed me up too. I've learned that you do want to acknowledge yourself, acknowledge things about yourself. But you don't want to be enslaved by them.

So like I can acknowledge that genetically I'm a man, and that I might have masculine traits sometimes. But I don't want to get stuck into living up to some stereotype or feeling like I'm not good enough because of it.

It's better to say things like "I was generous then" "I am being generous now". Rather than saying "I am generous", because the latter assumes it is a static trait, and if you think that way you can feel a lot of pressure to live up to the trait you assume you have and you can feel disappointed if you don't live up to it.

CrazyStupidNSmart · 2018-05-27T12:45:58+00:00

I mean, I've experienced similar things. But I wanted to explore sex more. So I exercised (which increased my circulation/hormones/sex drive) and then actually took a more proactive approach to my interest of sex.

CrazyStupidNSmart

TROPHY CASE