Haha, YES! But you're obviously aware that your random thoughts are just that... random. I think many people (if not most) identify heavily with their thoughts and take them to be the gospel truth of the matter. Wily brains are wreaking havoc the world over.
I am Day 2 of a two-week stay at a Zen retreat house connected to my sangha. It's not a total retreat or I wouldn't be online - basically I am living some of my life as normal (working part time, going out in the world, meeting with people) but living communally with other Zen folks and doing two hour-long stints of meditation per day. Some of what I'm doing while I'm here is writing a talk on Zen and creative practice, as well as other Zen study. Basically, even though it isn't an intensive retreat, it is still too much time with my thoughts. My totally unreal, angry at myself for leaving home, thoughts..... And even though I have a lot of training in the illusory nature of thoughts, it's impossible to stop them from coming sometimes. Part of my practice in the last two days has been noticing my discomfort. Not trying to change it or fuel it, but noticing it. Can't say it's shifted anything yet - but it likely will. I've been here before (pretty much every meditation retreat ever) and I'm sure I'll be here again.
Ooh, glad it was timely. I could use this reminder every day.
I've just recently (finally) gotten back to meditating daily again---I stopped two years ago leading up to my Life's Work show, and then life threw a bunch of boulders at us and though I tried a couple times, I couldn't manage to resume. I'm definitely "out of practice" and find my mind zinging and pinging all over the place. I use the Waking Up app (which I love) and from what I understand from what Sam Harris says, thoughts are always going to come... it's just a case of recognizing them, without judgement, and then going back to awareness of the breath (or however you're managing to stay in the moment). So that's what I'm trying to do. I also take the opportunity to try and be in my body as much as I can. That in itself helps get me out of my annoying head.
Somewhere along the road someone taught me (who was it? feel like maybe a self-help type book maybe??) when I have a thought that arouses fear, anger, anxiety, etc to ask myself "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" and that has helped so much. I am getting better at noticing the disruptive thought before it takes me down and I have to wrestle with it. Thanks for your wise words BA. xxx
YES! You just summarized my entire graphic novel right here! And my next post! 🙏🏼 Thanks maybe I'll just send everyone here...
😃
Thanks Betty Ann! I needed that reminder!
🤓
I just love, love your ink, the colours, the texture of the letters.
Me and my brain love this!
YAY! Thanks so much Angela ❤️🔥
Loved this! One question I like to pose to myself: why should I believe my own random thoughts any more than someone else’s random thoughts?
Haha, YES! But you're obviously aware that your random thoughts are just that... random. I think many people (if not most) identify heavily with their thoughts and take them to be the gospel truth of the matter. Wily brains are wreaking havoc the world over.
Thank you for more inked out words of wisdom.
Thank you Trav, and nice to see you here 😻
I’m here in the shadows
😱
Timely!
I am Day 2 of a two-week stay at a Zen retreat house connected to my sangha. It's not a total retreat or I wouldn't be online - basically I am living some of my life as normal (working part time, going out in the world, meeting with people) but living communally with other Zen folks and doing two hour-long stints of meditation per day. Some of what I'm doing while I'm here is writing a talk on Zen and creative practice, as well as other Zen study. Basically, even though it isn't an intensive retreat, it is still too much time with my thoughts. My totally unreal, angry at myself for leaving home, thoughts..... And even though I have a lot of training in the illusory nature of thoughts, it's impossible to stop them from coming sometimes. Part of my practice in the last two days has been noticing my discomfort. Not trying to change it or fuel it, but noticing it. Can't say it's shifted anything yet - but it likely will. I've been here before (pretty much every meditation retreat ever) and I'm sure I'll be here again.
I feel you....I am a victim of negative thoughts too often, hard to hold back the rushing waters at times.
The brain can be a real bitch, by golly by gum.
Ooh, glad it was timely. I could use this reminder every day.
I've just recently (finally) gotten back to meditating daily again---I stopped two years ago leading up to my Life's Work show, and then life threw a bunch of boulders at us and though I tried a couple times, I couldn't manage to resume. I'm definitely "out of practice" and find my mind zinging and pinging all over the place. I use the Waking Up app (which I love) and from what I understand from what Sam Harris says, thoughts are always going to come... it's just a case of recognizing them, without judgement, and then going back to awareness of the breath (or however you're managing to stay in the moment). So that's what I'm trying to do. I also take the opportunity to try and be in my body as much as I can. That in itself helps get me out of my annoying head.
Somewhere along the road someone taught me (who was it? feel like maybe a self-help type book maybe??) when I have a thought that arouses fear, anger, anxiety, etc to ask myself "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" and that has helped so much. I am getting better at noticing the disruptive thought before it takes me down and I have to wrestle with it. Thanks for your wise words BA. xxx
Yes, it's incredible how much our own brains will lie to us! Shamelessly!
Needed this. Brain has been braining obnoxiously of late.
They really should be kept in their place 😅