After Meditation.

[Gem]

I practice. People don't realize how extreme I am. Sometimes I go to the mountains and for day after day I practice continuously.

People think I'm crazy, and it's true I am. I have mental problems and emotional difficulties which are far worse than most peoples, and people don't realize that either.

I'm so calm and centred I can sit alone and silent for day after day after day, but during that period I face extremes of pain, emotion and utter delight... and I also realize how distracted I become with this worldly life.

In an average day at home, I practice twice for one hour each. I use a timer to make sure I don't get lazy and remain true to the dicipline, but there are times when I remain still for longer and just ignore the timer alarm.

Anyway... I'm gonna come here after my meditation sessions and say something. Please join me.

yes

thank you Gem

[Gem]

While I'm watching things change... it's only internal reaction which disturbs the stillness.

The timing is important to me... the hour... and many are very 'go with the flow', but does this mean if the body experiences some discomfort one reacts adversely and decides 'enough now'?

The hour is important to me. Where is my presence of mind if some discomfort arizes and causes me to become distracted, and react to it, and move to alleviate it, or entirely desist from today's practice?

I wonder if my internal reacitons are like children- wanting my attention and space. I wonder if they just don't up and go play then!

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I wonder if my internal reacitons are like children- wanting my attention and space. I wonder if they just don't up and go play then!

I wonder... today I was on the computer for quite a while, so when I sat in my usual posture I had pain in my back... so my mind was trying to unsettle and go 'this hurts... I don't like it... this sux,' and generally sqirm around like a prattish kid... but I just kept still.

Is it that the experience must be pleasant? I don't see it makes much difference. It's like a balance... quiet mind ... sometimes pain sometimes so nice, sometimes such a sadness and sometimes so much joy, sometimes so light sometimes so heavy and solid... it's all there to be my balance as I be silent and still.

I wish I could be half as disciplined as you Gem. Your commitment is amazing. I tell myself I will meditate every day, but the reality is I'm pretty hit and miss unfortunately. You must find that level of ability to remain still so helpful.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by LUVnLIGHT2U

I wish I could be half as disciplined as you Gem. Your commitment is amazing. I tell myself I will meditate every day, but the reality is I'm pretty hit and miss unfortunately. You must find that level of ability to remain still so helpful.

Don't get me wrong. I have the same messed up life issues as any human being... but the stillness of mind is the centrepiece of meditation.

In the experience farout things can occur and sometimes so surprizing or frightening one suddenly reacts adversely and grasps back at physical surity... so stillness is the basis. The experience is secondary.

Practice is discipline, but also a passion. Like a pianist sometime does not feel like todays hourly practice session, but the passion for music is such that he will practice today, and tomorrow, and the next...

Routine. At this time I will meditate. When that hour arrives just do it acceptingly.

[Gem]

I find no use for chants mantra visualization asking the universe and everything people say... because for me it is to feel, to experience what is with simple acceptance.

There is no result form it.

I know many chase enlightenment. Good luck and may the best man be first across the finish line LOL.

Chasing the result, the end game, is a form of desire... and in the meditation I notice myself desiring some wonderful experience, and when this occurs the truth of this moment is desire.

Sometimes I don't feel like meditating. On a mountain retreat there is nothing but bare walls a meditation cushion and a sleeping bag. Being stripped of any stimulus one can be bored brainless or experience his own presence by investigating it with a gentle and simple curiosity... there is nothing else to do. Imaginary exersizes quickly become tiring and one would find themselves seeking some other form of stimulus ... but find none... and arrive at the same point where they go crazy from solitary confinement or become curious about the only thing that is there... This experience as it is in this moment.

Originally Posted by Gem

Sometimes I don't feel like meditating. On a mountain retreat there is nothing but bare walls a meditation cushion and a sleeping bag. Being stripped of any stimulus one can be bored brainless or experience his own presence by investigating it with a gentle and simple curiosity... there is nothing else to do. Imaginary exersizes quickly become tiring and one would find themselves seeking some other form of stimulus ... but find none... and arrive at the same point where they go crazy from solitary confinement or become curious about the only thing that is there... This experience as it is in this moment.

The razer's edge here. This is hard. This is it. Gem can do this. Who else can do this? Words and concepts of truth are fine. But this is where the rubber meets the road.

After Meditation