Neither a) ignoring, nor b) indulging a disturbing emotion, but instead acknowledging it (seeing it clearly), allowing it to arise, dwell, dissolve on its own.
At no point is there a need to put on gloves, scrub, give in to mental melodrama.
Conversation
What does it mean to
- see clearly
- acknowledge
- recognize
Yes, there is a world. There are objects. But all perception of objects (and this body) arises in this mind.
Perception of objects, perceiver, and interpretations/concepts all arise in the same place.
1
4
For me, the experiential understanding that
a) the sense of I
b) perception of stuff "out there"
c) thoughts about a & b
— that these are all this mind, is something I consider what in some circles is called "actionable intelligence"
1
1
To be clear: I reject notions that the universe, matter, stuff, bodies, are somehow all mind. I am an unabashed materialist. No apologies there.
Working with mind, cultivating mindfulness/awareness/resilience do not require one to submit to funky metaphysics.
1
4
It is, however, essential that this mind know (experientially, not merely conceptually) that its likes/dislikes, sense of morality, political and food preferences, etc. — all arise from itself.
2
1
Mind's natural plasticity/flexibility can be a problem (endless distraction, discursive thought, giving in to anger, etc.).
But this flexibility is also the basis for a deep sense of freedom and ease, even in the midst of the insanity that is our contemporary world.
1
4
We cultivate compassion for beings because they don't understand the difference between physical pain, which is unavoidable, and self-inflicted mental anguish and suffering.
1
3
I need not like a particular politician, nor his policies. But if this mind is consumed by what it dislikes, it becomes the enemy within.
A lama told me "meditate on what you want, not on what you don't want."
His point: direct your time/energy towards beneficial things.
1
1
Not so much
- creating conditions for relaxation to occur
as
- ceasing to cultivate the opposite of relaxation
E.g., if I stop ruminating upon anger, relaxation-of-anger is naturally there
Quote Tweet
Replying to @chagmed
The “force of relaxing” sounds paradoxical, but is it just the creation of conditions for the relaxation to occur?
3
1
6
