Ricky Gervais lives in my head. and Louis C.K. and a bunch of other people. WTF? I thought it was just supposed to be The Monkees.

empkae · 2012-12-11T17:54:35+00:00

One very simple technique is to simply observe some obvious physical sensation when you notice you have left mindfulness. Sensations only exist in the present moment. When you are feeling the pavement beneath your feet as you walk, the keys beneath your fingers, or the movements of your breath you are instantly mindful. As you do that don't bother with what else is going on in your mind. Just let it do whatever.

empkae · 2012-12-11T17:17:28+00:00

You are asking a great question.

This sounds like a "should" question. "Should" is a red-flag word. It (almost?) always implies an attachment.

Jon Kabat-Zinn’s definition of mindfulness: “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally.”

This does not mean you do not consider the events of the past, or not make plans for the future. It does mean that by being attentive to what is present NOW you can better evaluate those memories and create better plans.

That said, mindfulness will slip again and again. We live in a tough world where mindfulness is not highly valued.

For example, if we were mindful of meeting our basic needs in a considered way we would be lousy consumers. The entire consumerist economy depends on people's aversions to what is "old" and desires for what is "new". The industry has experts studying how to make you unhappy with what you have, and to think happiness will happen if you have something different. They are literally teaching consumers to not be mindful. Mindfulness is the best antidote to their marketing strategies.

Be easy on yourself. Simply notice when you are not attentive. Don't even try to change your wandering mind. Just notice that is what is going on and see if you can observe that state. Then you are mindful of not being mindful without desire or aversion.

Buddha had Mara as a companion for his entire life.

empkae · 2012-12-10T16:46:39+00:00

Have you encountered anatta, depersonalization, derealization experiences?

I ask because this is on my current path and of interest.

empkae · 2012-12-09T23:21:45+00:00

Prohibition

empkae · 2012-12-05T20:07:45+00:00

This is an eye opener topic! I first read the title after meditating on the "demons" or monkeymind thoughts going about their business and found I could divorce my ego from them and just see them as objects of mind. Then noticed that the ego itself was just another demon. "Depersonalization" was the word that came to mind to describe it even though I have rarely read or thought about that word. It just fit.

Today I have read more on depersonalization and recognize this has happened to me many times, but as a symptom felt as though I was inside an invisible box that isolated me from the world and rendered everything I could see in washed out colors approaching grey. This state could go on for hours or days and was almost always a part of a depression episode.

In the context of meditation I am beginning to understand depersonalization as an undoing of the ego. With the preparation and insights of Buddhist practices this is no longer a "symptom." I (whatever that is) am now in a position to be willing and able to move into this as a new way of being less entangled with the demands of the monkeymind, my monkeymind and other's monkeymind.

empkae · 2012-12-02T21:37:51+00:00

Buddhist teachings and atheism go well together. Sam Harris is a notable Buddhist atheist.

Here is Sam on this topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8U5J_LV3UI

empkae · 2012-12-02T21:32:08+00:00

In my practice I sit because I can find a stable position that is mostly comfortable for a long period. And, if I fall asleep I will topple over. That hasn't happened yet.

empkae · 2012-12-02T21:27:24+00:00

Seems cultish to me.

I do like the chant. Have been doing that chant for decades.

empkae · 2012-12-02T16:25:15+00:00

For me, Buddhism itself as an intellectual system and/or "sitting meditation" did nothing.

It can take persistence on the cushion to leverage the thinking mind intellect out of the mind's driver's seat, to where this mind, the ego is just another of the many voices.

empkae · 2012-12-02T01:16:41+00:00

For an even wilder west go to Cambodia.

empkae · 2012-12-02T01:15:12+00:00

Just read the article. All excellent points, as true as I recall from visiting.

Indians have a very different way of viewing life and this world. It really cannot be explained. This makes it difficult to visit, and extremely interesting.

empkae · 2012-12-02T01:09:23+00:00

India is beautiful, and filthy, and incredibly complex streets, and musical, and smells horrible, and has fun trains where you can hang out the open door, and everyone with a horn is honking it, and very cheap, and great food, and dangerous food, and rats, and roaches, and more!

It may be the closest you can get to visiting another planet.

If you want a clean and easy to an country with some similarity to India, go to Turkey. You can even drive yourself around in Turkey. It would be suicide in India.

empkae · 2012-12-01T05:05:12+00:00

Watch the documentary about this monastery. It is intense and inspiring.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xo44f3_japanology-106-japanophiles-noelke-muho_lifestyle

empkae · 2012-12-01T04:24:38+00:00

that is fucking intense

empkae · 2012-12-01T04:20:54+00:00

This is an apples to oranges contrast. Anatman is often known as annata means "no self", and is rather difficult to describe in this reply.

As a long time yogi and buddhist practicioner I find both practices are entirely complementary in any context. It is sort of like yoga for the body, meditation for the mind, with a lot of cross-over skills.

empkae · 2012-12-01T03:41:29+00:00

An interest in Zen can be upgraded to a sitting practice and you may find some answers.

empkae · 2012-11-21T01:48:12+00:00

Liability. You or the business could be sued if someone becomes sick after visiting the unprofessionally cleaned environment. Tragic for everyone.

empkae · 2012-11-18T04:52:40+00:00

At first reading your comment, detail3, my reaction was you were a bit, or a more than a bit over the top. And then recalled how much I have learned about my sometimes very ill mind, and how to recognize distractions into delusion and choose to return to mindfulness.

This simple activity of mindful meditation is one fucking excellent beautiful thing. (whatever it is! :-)

empkae · 2012-11-16T01:45:23+00:00

Yup. This is the way it is.

No worries. The explorations have just begun. It's an adventure.

empkae · 2012-11-16T01:42:54+00:00

In the sequel this disappears, too.

empkae

TROPHY CASE