I can highly recommend it. I cannot say the experience was altogether pleasant, because I found it very difficult and confronting on my brain, but I am extremely glad I went. Last night before I went to sleep in my little room, I wrote down two pages of stuff I had learned about myself that I really, really needed to cut the hell out. Like, yesterday. I need to cut that shit out YESTERDAY.
There was a whole bunch of stuff about living in the now and accepting current circumstances as "enough" that just makes so much sense. But it's far, far easier said than done. I don't mind admitting a lot of the notions they presented me with inspired sheer, unadulterated panic in my head.
I have to give up wanting things? And the notion that I exist? WHAT/WHO AM I, EXACTLY, IF I ACCEPT THAT?
Very challenging stuff. You should look into it. I just read your last post. It might be just what the doctor ordered, even if it is a difficult process. :) *smish*
Thanks, babe! It's good to be back where there is a HEATER. Omg, WARMTH. And FOOD after noon! I have been cold and hungry for too many days.
But it was worth it, for sure. I will probably go again. I'm thinking I'll head up to the Buddhist Nunnery in Gidgegannup nest time. See how the chicks work the peace.
I think this is amazing. I'm not sure I could do it but I think that if everyone could be forced (not the Buddhist way - perhaps encouraged meditatively) we would all be in a lot better shape spiritually and physically as well.
I think it is too funny that you have to get your dos out of dog jail.
Dude. When I got home this morning and went to the pound website to find out the address of dog jail, there were two MUGSHOTS of my beasts on their main page. *hides face in couch cushions*
The whole thing is highly amusing and instructive, but the part that applies to thinking about nothing starts at the 3:35 mark. There is much truth to it; I've lived the experience. In short, your brain is not wired to think about nothing. :-)
It sounds like your week was both challenging and rewarding. I'd be interested in whether or not thinking about nothing is part of the nuns' approach.
Well, it's not so much thinking about nothing as it is focusing on the experience of NOW, with reference to neither the future nor the past, or any participation by what you recognise as your Self.
It's like you have to concentrate on the immediate experience of BEING, without any sense of IDENTITY attached to it.
The nuns I met at the retreat seemed to have it down just fine.
Also, if I hear one more comedian making fun of how high-pitched and annoying women's voices are when they say their annoying relationship things that annoy poor men because they just want to be left alone and in peace, I am going to start booking tickets to their shows and parodying everything they say through a loudhailer a la James Earl Jones.
Sorry about the clip. Your comment about not being able to think about nothing brought it to mind immediately, and I thought it was funny enough to share. It's a difference that I've experienced in my own marriage, the attending parodies notwithstanding. Apologies.
Glad you got your dogs back. Maybe think of their mug shots as being the canine equivalent of "blue steel," yeah?
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There was a whole bunch of stuff about living in the now and accepting current circumstances as "enough" that just makes so much sense. But it's far, far easier said than done. I don't mind admitting a lot of the notions they presented me with inspired sheer, unadulterated panic in my head.
I have to give up wanting things? And the notion that I exist? WHAT/WHO AM I, EXACTLY, IF I ACCEPT THAT?
Very challenging stuff. You should look into it. I just read your last post. It might be just what the doctor ordered, even if it is a difficult process. :) *smish*
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But it was worth it, for sure. I will probably go again. I'm thinking I'll head up to the Buddhist Nunnery in Gidgegannup nest time. See how the chicks work the peace.
:D
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I think it is too funny that you have to get your dos out of dog jail.
Only a dragons.
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The retreat was hard work, and kind of threatening/confronting, but well worth the discomfort for the things I have taken away.
That being said, I am going to find me the greasiest, fastest vegieburger I can this afternoon and EAT IT REGARDLESS OF THE TIME.
My scrawny vego self does not deal well with no food for eighteen hours every day. Oh Lord, that was hard.
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Men's brains vs. Women's brains: The Nothing Box
The whole thing is highly amusing and instructive, but the part that applies to thinking about nothing starts at the 3:35 mark. There is much truth to it; I've lived the experience. In short, your brain is not wired to think about nothing. :-)
It sounds like your week was both challenging and rewarding. I'd be interested in whether or not thinking about nothing is part of the nuns' approach.
Welcome back.
*hands you cookie*
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It's like you have to concentrate on the immediate experience of BEING, without any sense of IDENTITY attached to it.
The nuns I met at the retreat seemed to have it down just fine.
Also, if I hear one more comedian making fun of how high-pitched and annoying women's voices are when they say their annoying relationship things that annoy poor men because they just want to be left alone and in peace, I am going to start booking tickets to their shows and parodying everything they say through a loudhailer a la James Earl Jones.
Sorry. MASSIVE PET HATE. *stabs that guy*
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Glad you got your dogs back. Maybe think of their mug shots as being the canine equivalent of "blue steel," yeah?
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