TBD

TBD on Ning

              I am starting a new thread here mainly for purposes of my own catharsis. It is my intention, at least at this point, to make regular contributions. Of course, if anyone else has anything to add, they are more than welcome. If you have any input, please contribute.

              Over a year ago I decided to deal head-on with my self-diagnosed adult attention disorder, (ADD). The inability to stay focused was becoming too stressful. I found myself sitting around watching the clock tick, yet I couldn’t keep “on task” with any project I started. Nothing was getting done and just starting something was becoming depressing.

              The smart thing to do was probably to get professional help, so instead I decided to try to heal myself, at least as a first try. Cognitive therapy and pharmaceuticals (UGH) might be the approved way to go but I decided to try meditation first.

              18 months and countless self-help books later, I still can’t bring myself to a regular, formal meditation program. But, along the way, I discovered informal mindfulness. Yes, I know it is the “Fad” right now. It is hard to navigate modern social trends without “tripping over” somebody extolling the benefits of mindfulness.

              Let me add my voice to the chorus.

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"A tenth of an inch's difference,

And heaven and earth are set apart;

If you wish to see it before your own eyes,

Have no fixed thoughts either for or against it."

Zen quote  -  I am still trying to track down its original source.

I was reminded of this quote by a line in the article about communications that I cited above. The author spoke of small turning points in the history of her relationship with her husband where a moment of reflection, or lack thereof, meant the difference between plunging down a path toward heaven or hell. The Zen quote is advocating non-judgement in all observation but I would like to stress the 'little things have big consequences' aspect of it. The brain tends to throw up emotional reactions first, followed by reasoned responses later. Unless you are under immediate physical threat, like a mugging, you usually have the time to weather the emotional storm and then make an intentional choice between paths. Remember, the emotional reaction may be satisfying in the moment but often not the best long range option.

"Do every act of your life as if it were the last act of your life."  -  Marcus Aurelius

What did the Zen monk say to the hot dog vendor? "Make me one with everything." - Anonymous

☯ ✔

That's just me and my beagle (now departed.)

Yup--me and my dachshund and doberman (both departed).

"So long as we want a troubling emotion to leave us, we give it renewed attention and energy to stay. Only when we are equally happy for it to go or stay will we find true peace of mind."  -  Andy Puddicombe

This strikes at a central paradox in mindfulness. I get that a willful struggle with an unwelcome emotion only feeds it. I get that pretending it isn't there doesn't resolve any problems. The advice here is to welcome it without judgement and to treat all emotions as equally valid. Easier said than done.

As I see it, when you feel good, just feel good, don't invest anything more into it; you get attached and that will eventually lead to disappointment. Likewise for feeling bad, endure it and it will pass.

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