tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post7083035675337128857..comments2024-03-24T23:13:15.572-07:00Comments on Mind Deep: A Gradual TrainingMarguerite Manteau-Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17956537059369707663noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-82635999672859852982012-08-28T10:46:04.753-07:002012-08-28T10:46:04.753-07:00Yep - that's one of the big issues. I've ...Yep - that's one of the big issues. I've been chewing on it myself. My own teacher put it succinctly: "You have to know what to do, you have to know how to do it, and you have to prefer it." <br /><br />You can also consider it under the heading of renunciation. Holding back, as you put it, results from preferring (not being willing yet to renounce) some things that are not part of the path. <br /><br />It's a process - either natural (gentle and bit by bit as insight directs) or forced (fierce asceticism.) Each has its pros and cons. But the end is the same - that's my take on it. <br /><br />Susan<br />http://lawsview.typepad.com/beingbuddhist/Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636175360873304101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-6977747919317000962012-08-27T16:43:29.874-07:002012-08-27T16:43:29.874-07:00Dialogic, thank you so much for the link. Very tim...Dialogic, thank you so much for the link. Very timely, indeed!Marguerite Manteau-Raohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956537059369707663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-53765267179991091372012-08-27T16:42:51.529-07:002012-08-27T16:42:51.529-07:00Susan, thank you. I like that, 'gradual or not...Susan, thank you. I like that, 'gradual or nothing'. I can definitely relate! <br /><br />The fundamental question I have been asking myself is that of commitment to the path. Why hold back? What is the upside of not going fully in? <br /><br />I am still working out the balance sheet . . .Marguerite Manteau-Raohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956537059369707663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-27301452910914108792012-08-27T12:41:22.799-07:002012-08-27T12:41:22.799-07:00Pertinent to the comment on 'high quality sams...Pertinent to the comment on 'high quality samsara' or liberation is this very thoughtful piece by Linda Heuman in the current issue of Tricycle: http://www.tricycle.com/feature/whats-stake-dharma-goes-modernAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-75692957566002232562012-08-27T12:37:06.192-07:002012-08-27T12:37:06.192-07:00Pertinent to the discussion about the modern mindf...Pertinent to the discussion about the modern mindfulness movement is Linda Heuman's essay in the current Tricycle (available online), What's at stake as the Dharma goes modern. It appears to be from the Mahayana vehicle but is completely in line with Leigh's quotation above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-53785889997502348582012-08-27T09:56:22.637-07:002012-08-27T09:56:22.637-07:00"Do you want high quality samsara, or liberat..."Do you want high quality samsara, or liberation?" That nails it. Personally my official goal is liberation, but I know that a significant part of the draw is a more comfortable life. This opposition, and it is that, is quite self-defeating if it remains unconscious - becoming aware of it is the beginning of resolution. <br /><br />"Mindfulness as practiced by most Westerners can be a gateway drug to liberation." Yes - very rich metaphor.<br /><br />As for gradual vs immediate - for those who can do the immediate thing, wonderful. But for me, it's gradual or nothing. <br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636175360873304101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-39735163150482330912012-08-26T18:40:53.658-07:002012-08-26T18:40:53.658-07:00Thank you Michael, for sharing your view. And, I k...Thank you Michael, for sharing your view. And, I kindly disagree with you :) I have faith in the Buddha's teachings, and it is becoming increasingly clear to me what is meant by walking on the path. Of course, this is a very personal thing, and I certainly respect your perspective. <br />Marguerite Manteau-Raohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956537059369707663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166459572149699816.post-25482580852591269792012-08-26T15:09:50.845-07:002012-08-26T15:09:50.845-07:00For what its worth I have more or less come to the...For what its worth I have more or less come to the conclusion that there is no path and no goal to achieve. Meditation of various kinds can only be practiced in the present moment.It should be simply valued for what it is and not judged in any way.It is simply what it is. Once<br />you believe it leads to something else in the future you step on a never ending roundabout.Michael Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02058004902103918910noreply@blogger.com