Both pics taken yesterday at the National Portrait Gallery. The above was from an exhibit of artists' "to do" lists. Fabulous exhibit!
The power of the mind is unfathomable, which is ironic, isn't it? We literally can't imagine how much impact what we think has on the way life unfolds. But we're beginning to get a glimmer, a sign that we are evolving, at least I think so.
I'm reading brain books again. These days there are so many written for folks like me who are not scientists but still love all the ideas being explored in science. Right now I'm reading about people who recovered from all manner of "incurable" brain abnormalities, due (the writer thinks) to the plasticity of the brain. No doubt that's part of it.
Change the way you think and you can change your life. It sounds so easy, doesn't it? But in truth, changing the way you think is really hard! I believe that's why a practice of meditation is a part of every spiritual tradition. As soon as it began to dawn on our species that taming the mind would serve us, we've tried with all our might to get a mental grip. But the mind is unruly, recalcitrant. Even the Dalai Lama, whose job it is to meditate all the time, struggles to sit quietly.
This morning I tried to meditate. I really tried hard. But I just got my new computer yesterday. With so many new things to learn, so many new neural pathways just waiting to be carved into the gray goo in my head, I could not settle down. I was just too excited. Eventually I gave up, picked up my new gleaming white macbook, and started futzing. A new computer is a lot more fun than meditating, but ... is that a good excuse?
What the hell. I'll meditate tomorow. Yes? I say yes.
12 comments:
I think it's the spring energy, making settling down nigh unto impossible, these days. I am unusually buzzy this week, too.
Have fun with the new Mac! Love-love-love that artist's to do list!
I've never been able to develop a daily practice of meditation. And although I understand the need to not let unhealthy thinking patterns spiral out of control, I've never really understood why people want to do it a lot. I'm incarnate, I am of the world. I chose to incarnate so why spend my lifetime here trying to escape it? the world is a beautiful place full of things to do and experience. there will be enough time to swim in the higher regions after I am finished here.
Is it your first Mac? If so, you're likely to become a zealot as you discover how much they can help you do.
A well cultivated meditation practice will eventually help you learn to reliably quiet the mind into lasting periods calm bliss-- something akin to post-orgasmic bliss, but longer and more stable.
Such blissful states are NOT the ultimate goal of meditation, of course, but they might explain why people go to the trouble to learn and practice.
I say have fun with the Macbook & meditate tomorrow!
I thought the drawing was yours - I thought- Oh my, Reya has a chatterbox head! whew- not yours though it still intrigues. Meditation, I call it a lie down, a nap, sleep at 7:00 pm...tried the other thing- sitting until toes tingle and distraction leads to distraction- not sold but I do little quickies during particularly stressful times- I just breathe and let go...until the tidal waves quiet and the shore is somewhat less dramatic. Works for me.
A new computer- sounds challenging in a good way!
Cheers!
Its yer brain-in-a-box Reya ! And a helluva lot easier to meditate with....just program it with the buttons !!! Hahahahaha !!
Visualizing, if you can, is a way simpler form because you can create gentle places to sit and consider. It is also far more powerful because you can draw 'wisdom images' from that exquisite well deep in the recesses of the DNA's memory.....and use them as self-instruction tools. Being extemporaneous, as we all are, makes using the viz tool productive quite easily. One can even recreate scenes from daily life, past, dreams, etc....and observe them or deliberately change them. One of the marvelous benefits is in consistently using the tool for it slowly alters the way a mind places the images in memory and thus can have a powerful effect on reducing patterns of self-defeat. I once helped a young man with a treatise on this subject analogized with shamanic techniques and backed by an actual personal experience solving the riddle of an old recurring nightmare......recieve a 99 on his first year Psyche exams.
He flat 'blew' his Professor away !!
it really works, I know it does...but then it's so easy to slip back into the old ruts. Wish I could fill in the ruts for good...got any mind asphalt?
Could it be that your writing is a kind of meditation?
Mind asphalt? Oh yeah!!
Actually I am very good at meditating. Ellen I find the experience exactly the opposite of escape. For me it's about being totally present, which is quite an uncomfortable experience sometimes. But if I miss a day because I have a new computer, well, why not?
Dan, I am Apple all the way, have never had anything BUT a Mac. Sweet!
You were simply doing a "browsing meditation" rather than a sitting one. My best meditating is done when I walk. Bravo on the MAC. I love mine.
Well Reya
writing from my new white macbook I would have to agree...
aren't they a treat? so fast and sleek and I have so much to explore...
Happy days
Post a Comment