[Helloheshess]

This is a continuation of the mammoth thread 'Absolute beginner' started by Slartibartfast in December 2008, and it's dedicated to all who are taking up regular meditation in their life.

[Maryjasmine]

Thank you all so much for your kind wishes

I think I am beginning to understand much more of what I am all about. there have been periods in my life when I have, at least in my own mind, hit rock bottom and could be accused of wallowing in self pity, clinging onto misery, (which seems to fly in the face of certain teachings).

Very lately I have had some issues to work through and it occurs to me that these events would normally have brung me much lower, more intensly and for longer.

I realise that Dharma is helping me to see things just as they are. I've always had an intellectual understanding of teachings but to realise things experientially is a whole other thing entirely. These realisations can only come from experience. No book or teacher can experience something for you. They can open the door but you have to step through it.

Yours In This Moment

Steve

[lovespellszz]

Steve,#3.
"They can open the door but you have to step through it"

So what holds us back?

[BCVB9SOc]

frank

So what holds us back?

I never know if I should answer you or not, who knows what trap awaits

Well we hold ourselves back. We are so used with our routine that we sleep our way through life on autopilot. When we get a glimpse, when we open our eyes, it can be daunting and often we shy away from what we see and fall asleep again. Letting go is a process. Often I pick up things I let go off again.

Ngawang Drolma
Thank you It means a lot to me the support I get from here.

[AricGoffgog]

Letting go is a process

Letting go can occur when we are able to relax completely.


it's always very good to read your reflections, Steve

[Yifnvmzp]

It is very good to read your reflections, Steve, and there's a lot of content to encourage the beginner, too.

I realise that Dharma is helping me to see things just as they are.

This is also my experience with meditation.

I still am ruled by my emotions and victim of my poor judgement, but from time to time I see just how I am affected and how I allow myself to be affected (by my emotions and judgement).

After seeing comes the opportunity to change my actions. It's not so easy as walking through an open door. It needs courage and strength to change the habits of a lifetime.

I find the teacher(s) at my meditation group to be a great help. They gently advise me on dealing with problems that I find with meditation and skilfully avoid any discussion about the real-world issues that vex me sometimes. Because when I develop my practice, I will have the means to deal with those issues myself.

[lapInsalm]

This is also my experience with meditation

Many thanks also to Woodscooter for sharing his experience and reflections in connection with his meditation group with us.

[!!!maryann!!!]

Slartibartfast,

"I never know if I should answer you or not, who knows what trap awaits"

Strange you should think a trap awaits,l think l'm a straight forward guy,say what l mean,and mean what l say. Others have said Frank by name,frank by nature.

[Irravepem]

frank
I meant no offence.

[SetSnonejog]

Thank you, Laura.

Back at the regular Samatha meditation group. I asked my teacher about the experience I was getting during meditation where I found my attention was far from being on the breath. I found myself returning my attention to the breath, realising I had been away from it for some time, yet with no memory of any thoughts, nor any evidence of a wandering mind.

He asked me a couple of questions to find out what state of mind I may have been in, and concluded it was probably sleep. I was dozing off to sleep during the meditation. He told me it was a sign that mindfulness and concentration were imbalanced in me. He advised me to just be aware of it and to continue practising.

Something else to work on! Still, it's not a good thing to be going to sleep. Perhaps I can work on it.

W.

[Aagotiq]

Hi Woody,
yes l have also fallen asleep...many times...But l don't both to battle it.

[irrawnWab]

Ah, it's a relief to hear that it's not uncommon. I have been known to go to sleep while someone is talking to me, not often, I wouldn't say I'm a narcoleptic.

Still, if I'm to get benefit from meditation, I need to stay awake.

Woody Scooter.

[Kilsimpaile]

My practice is quite disjointed. Does anyone have any advice on consistancy and building a practise? I keep doing well then for some reason stop and need a push to get back on the cushion.

[altosburg]

Hi Steve,

All I can suggest to you is sticking to a firm time table and allocating at least a short period of time for meditation morning and evening, even if its just a few minutes. Do you miss eating every day? No ? ...practising is spiritual food - keep practising !


Aloka

[Ferrotoral]

The timetable idea sounds good, as does having things around the house to remind me.

It's my old story though. When everything is fine there is no problem, when shit hits my fan I fall apart.

[Kristoferson]

when shit hits my fan I fall apart.

Believe me, when shit hits the fan, that's one of the best times for practice!

[artenotreah]

It certainly seems to be. It does get tough sometimes though. The I look around and see people who have problems, real life or death problems and I think that I don't have it so bad really.

This most fundamental of principles, non-grasping and non-aversion seems to be the most difficult aspect. It permeates every other aspect of my practice.

Anyone heard the myth of Sisyphus? It can feel like taht sometimes. just when you think you've moved your rock to the top *boom* you're at the bottom again. I need to break the cycle here. Or accept the cycle. Eesh.

[Tilmbeinymn]

Hi Steve,

You have many good qualities which are clear when you chat to us here. ( hey that's poetry )

We all have our ups and downs and you're definately making progress, even though perhaps you can't see it yourself at the moment !

Kind wishes,


Aloka

[SeelaypeKet]

andyrobyn

Camus classic French existentialism. I have read the outsider too. Marvellous stuff. Ever read sartre?

Yoga is really good. Very relaxing and quite meditative. Certaily puts you in a good frame of mind for meditation.

simplicity[Aloka-Dbling et al

Thank you so much for your support. It speaks of my current frame of mind but I got a little misty eyed reading your responses to my whinging. the support I get from here has got me back on the cushion on more than one occasion.

I'm gonna metta the shit out of you guys later

Namaste.

[Ambassador]

Hi Everyone,

Considering that I am an absolute beginner, I decided to read the thread Absolute Beginner I and, after a few days reading, have wound up here. Thank you Steve for starting the initial thread and my thanks to everyone for posting.

I have done a little bit of meditating in my life, but I have never set up and stuck to a practice. It has only been within this past month that I've decided to seriously explore Buddhism and so I have just begun to do some meditation here and there. These threads have been a pleasure to read and have encouraged me to continue. And so I hope to join in and share a little of my experience with all of you.

Steve, one thing, I have read people post to you that you should begin a practice of lovingkindness towards yourself and I strongly agree. I am in the same position of needing to work at that with myself. I find I can send metta most easily to neutrals and then to friends and family, but I find it hard to sent it to myself. I almost feel as if I'm doing something wrong when I say "May I be happy, etc..." before saying it for others. Either that, or I just forget about myself as someone in need of metta.

Pema Chodron has said something to the effect that self-denigration is the greatest block to enlightenment. She has also said something else which I have found very useful and that is that it is important to take an attitude of "No Big Deal" or "Lighten Up." Hopefully we can learn to love ourselves while cultivating a light touch and a gentle sense of humor.

May you all be well (and me too),

Kate