tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post6350362232667698479..comments2018-08-13T05:32:38.490-07:00Comments on Reflections on Infinite Space: Verse 2.7 — outlook, practice, behavior and resultKen McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15876529036315470763noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post-25408247773548732482014-12-05T21:04:32.019-08:002014-12-05T21:04:32.019-08:00There is a sense of some kind of relief when I rea...There is a sense of some kind of relief when I read the T.S. Eliot verse... <br /><br />"And the end of all our exploring <br />Will be to arrive where we started <br />And know the place for the first time."<br /><br />In terms of practice, this seems less a description of result and more a circling (or cycling) back. A re-examination of any point I might call a beginning, looking again at an old pattern with fresh perspective or the experience of deeper practice.<br /><br />Knowing for the first time feels like present moment, maybe allowing the knowing without pre-conceptions this time.<br />Diane de Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10561535859980333686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post-72349402769896462472014-12-03T20:38:13.454-08:002014-12-03T20:38:13.454-08:00I see the use of the words "I need to..."...I see the use of the words "I need to..." I have that same thing running for more than practice. To ask what you always ask, "What needs to?" That stops it temporarily, but it still runs. <br /><br />I have to go insane in a retreat setting before I finally become aware of some deep belief. Then the the pattern stops. I LOVE the tying in knots description. It's like the agony is what finally pops the shroud around the hidden belief running my show. Insanity = death throes, and something to get curious about, for me. <br /><br />Do teachers still have teachers? I find they know just how to get under my sore spots - probably inadvertently, I have a lot of them. It creates all sorts of roads in tho! :)Courtneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post-88211456078716166542014-12-02T05:51:40.246-08:002014-12-02T05:51:40.246-08:00Why not "cut into that"? This is one of ...Why not "cut into that"? This is one of those instances where one must consider Yogi Berra: in theory, there is no difference between practice and theory; in practice, there is.<br /><br />Cutting involves a certain stance, an edge, and one can move out of balance with the resting and stability aspect by cutting and cutting. One ends up a bit like a dog chasing its tail. In this sense, letting it all go and just resting is how one cuts cutting.<br /><br />As for the emotional iceberg, in the immediate context of practice, if you use the tool or method that produced the imbalance, you move even further out of balance. <br /><br />In the bigger picture, I came to question the whole structure of teaching and transmission as it has evolved in the West. The degree of isolation it can induce is not terribly healthy for anyone, an isolation I noticed that Asian teachers were careful to avoid.<br />Ken McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15876529036315470763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post-44152079139253400302014-12-02T05:31:22.307-08:002014-12-02T05:31:22.307-08:00You say that you cut "too much" and then...You say that you cut "too much" and then become an "emotional iceberg". But, instead of trying to "forget about cutting", why not cut into that? <br /><br />Indifference is one of the three poisons, and so any "balance" which is emotionally unresponsive remains emotionally unbalanced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-735806083613637800.post-20057143047600087372014-12-01T19:08:17.812-08:002014-12-01T19:08:17.812-08:00Hi Ken, today's blog resonated with my current...Hi Ken, today's blog resonated with my current situation, that is of certain learnt social expectations and conformity. i vacillate between tolerating it for a while, then actively move away from seeking approval and into a more authentic self. Some of this need for social approval from others is probably out of fear of being alone (as a single 38 yr old) as well as upbringing. Much of my frustrations with this automated behaviour is what led me to spiritual practice - finding awareness around it, as you state not trying to change current situation? It is a struggle with both internal and external benchmarks of how i should feel, behave, speak, present myself. As an artist i require stretches of solo time to allow creativity to flow. I struggle with feelings of vulnerability and have tendency for self-blame. I realise aspects of my negative thought patterns are from lack of present focus, (and yes dredging up past hurts) because ultimately this present awareness moulds your outlook too. I wanted to share as your teachings have been so helpful.<br />KatherineKatherine Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756535420394516825noreply@blogger.com