Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Buddhism

In reply to the discussion: Any meditators here? [View all]

leftyladyfrommo

(18,815 posts)
21. It takes a lifetime to learn to do stuff.
Sat Nov 28, 2015, 09:59 AM
Nov 2015

I love Pema and have read a lot of her stuff. It's been very helpful. I also love Thich Nhat Hanh. Pema is Tibetan Buddhist and Thich Nhat Hanh is Zen. Pema really helps on dealing with emotions. And emotions are the key to the whole thing.

I also read the dharma and the Dalai Lama. I read everything I can get my hands on. It helps me stay on track. And it's interesting.

Mindfulness takes a lifetime to learn, too. The human brain just doesn't work that way and you have to reprogram it.

The whole thing is a way of life. With Zen there is no goal. You just do what you do for no reason. Even that is a really hard concept to get ahold of. Breathe in, breathe out.

40 years later you look back and realize you are a completely different person and you don't really know how you got there.

Any meditators here? [View all] ellenrr Nov 2015 OP
I've been practicing Vipassana mediation for about 20 years. Nitram Nov 2015 #1
oh cool..I went to a Vipassana 10 day in the '70's ellenrr Nov 2015 #2
There are a number of centers, but the main one is in MA. Nitram Nov 2015 #3
Another vipassana student, also about 20 years. JudyM Nov 2015 #4
I agree, community is so important ellenrr Nov 2015 #5
40 years of Zen. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2015 #6
40 years! that's awesome. nt ellenrr Nov 2015 #13
It really takes a long time. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2015 #15
I am reading the Wisdom Gone Beyond leftyladyfrommo Nov 2015 #16
when you say "it takes a long long time" - are you saying ellenrr Nov 2015 #20
It takes a lifetime to learn to do stuff. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2015 #21
wow. thanks for sharing that-- ellenrr Nov 2015 #22
You need to read Pema leftyladyfrommo Nov 2015 #23
i am starting to focus on it more restorefreedom Nov 2015 #7
I agree, all meditation is good, many paths. ellenrr Nov 2015 #8
catastrophe living...sounds about right restorefreedom Nov 2015 #9
ha, I got whacked once! I was on a vipassana retreat, ellenrr Nov 2015 #18
wow. a friend of mine went to a zen retreat somewhere restorefreedom Nov 2015 #24
I forgot this one thing ellenrr Nov 2015 #10
i have tried that over the years restorefreedom Nov 2015 #11
exactly. :) I read of a yogi who practices Kundalini Yoga, ellenrr Nov 2015 #12
congrats on the month! dr phil says it takes restorefreedom Nov 2015 #17
thanks. Yogi Bhajan says it takes 40 days. to make a new habit ellenrr Nov 2015 #19
excellent info! restorefreedom Nov 2015 #25
yeah, me too. Yogi Bhajan says the best time is between 4 and 6 am... ellenrr Dec 2015 #26
i like the coffee connection restorefreedom Dec 2015 #27
interesting... do you eat fast? ellenrr Dec 2015 #28
haha i thought i was a medium eater restorefreedom Dec 2015 #29
You're a little late for halloween ;) I think Dec 2 is a pagan holiday... ellenrr Dec 2015 #30
oh, lol, I'm 6 months off... ellenrr Dec 2015 #31
there are many holidays of different importance to different people restorefreedom Dec 2015 #32
yes, this conversation made me pull out my Zsuzsanna Budapest book.. ellenrr Dec 2015 #33
my pleasure...enjoy the solstice restorefreedom Dec 2015 #34
Another benefit of meditation ellenrr Nov 2015 #14
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Buddhism»Any meditators here?»Reply #21