god666-8

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A man can be himself only so long as he is alone, and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

_ Arthur Schopenhauer

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Meditation and Sensory Stimulation in the Modern World

by Saṃsāran  

“I’ll tell you what hermits realize. if you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.”

– Alan Watts

Twenty-five centuries ago when Siddhartha Gautama taught in his grove the world was a very different and much quieter place. Aside from thunder, there were virtually no loud noises. 

There was very little in terms of intellectual stimulation aside from conversation. Books were rare and literacy was even rarer. No phones, computers, television, radio, video games or anything besides the occasional mummers play or puppet show. It was for this reason that sitting quietly in a room was much easier for people then than now. 

When modern people enter a monastic setting for the first time their reaction is “oh my God I am SO bored”. This only lasts about fifteen days on average but often this is a hurdle many can not overcome. Their minds chatter and skitter around like a spider on a hot plate. 

Thus it is with us when we first undertake to meditate. Your mind will refuse to settle down. Thoughts will race. Music will play. Worries will surface. You will itch and your back hurt and you will count down the minutes until you can stop and turn on the Xbox. Yet, the ability to sit quietly either with our thoughts or in one pointed concentration without thought is a life skill that everyone should have. 

With this skill comes peace of mind. With this skill comes true serenity. With this skill comes true patience. 

 “You need not leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. You need not even listen, simply wait, just learn to become quiet, and still, and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” 

— Franz Kafka

[god666-8]

#introvert = #solitude #etrovert = #socialgatherings

[god666-8]

Indeed

How To Make Yourself Do What You Don’t Want to Do

1. Rather than listening to the voice in your head that is screaming “I hate this; I don’t want to do this” think about why it is a GOOD thing to do.

2. Instead of trying to pretend that you don’t feel this way, accept that you are feeling very blah and negative.

3. Don’t think about results and how well you think you’ll do, as this could raise your feelings of anxiety and fear, just think about “right now” and the first thing you can do.

4. Accept that life is tough, and is full of things that suck – but recognise that doing hard stuff is better in the end. You’ll likely have more choices and freedom, if you do.

5. Just do a little bit for now – then give yourself a proper break – then go back and do some more – and soon you’ll find you’re in the flow.

6. Don’t allow your mind to wander and think of other things. Stay focused for that short time – and then stop, and have fun.

[god666-8]

Chaos Theory: There is order in chaos!

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Becoming present.

[god666-8]

Chaos Theory: There is order in chaos!