26 Apr 16
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Originally posted by karoly aczelThis is good advice that others also have given me. My mind tends to wander during mundane tasks and I go through them on auto pilot. I develop the habit of not being present.
And whatever you do put your whole being into it.
Even taking out the trash can be a mindful spiritual practice.
26 Apr 16
Originally posted by CalJustYeah, the community bit is important. Work got intense and I started missing out on it. Need to get back there.
Hi BDP,
Your honest and important OP has brought me out of selfimposed exile. We share this "problem", and just maybe my experience may be able to help you.
I started some ten or twelve years ago to do a twenty minute twice a day meditation practice, also called mindfullness. But many times I almost gave up, because it did not "work". I just could not ...[text shortened]... and The World.
But for us it has been significant and helpful advice. May it be for you too.
26 Apr 16
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneIt isn't just inner peace I seek, but also peaceful relations with others.
Perhaps it would help for you to rethink your spiritual goal.
From what little you've told me, you reach your goal, become satisfied and lose your motivation since you've attained your goal.
Also, the whole concept of a the goal of attaining "peace" or "happiness" seems terribly flawed to me in light of the role / desires of the ego.
26 Apr 16
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemI've had this advice to and it's an easy one to forget.
This is good advice that others also have given me. My mind tends to wander during mundane tasks and I go through them on auto pilot. I develop the habit of not being present.
One of the most peaceful moments I've ever had was cementing in the gaps in my patio once, a long time ago, while between life junctions. It was this time of year, the sun was out, I was so relaxed and just lived in the moment for a couple of weeks.
27 Apr 16
Originally posted by divegeesterIt's funny how it's easy, for me at least, to get so caught up in planning and making "improvements" and setting goals and worrying about tomorrow that I can't appreciate what's right there in front of me.
I've had this advice to and it's an easy one to forget.
One of the most peaceful moments I've ever had was cementing in the gaps in my patio once, a long time ago, while between life junctions. It was this time of year, the sun was out, I was so relaxed and just lived in the moment for a couple of weeks.
27 Apr 16
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemI think all good things flow more from equilibrium than from a set of actions that might be described as "practice", or, shall we say, good actions (practice) stem from a state of balance.
It isn't just inner peace I seek, but also peaceful relations with others.
27 Apr 16
Originally posted by FMFDo you suppose spiritual practice could help in reaching a "state of balance"?
I think all good things flow more from equilibrium than from a set of actions that might be described as "practice", or, shall we say, good actions (practice) stem from a state of balance.
27 Apr 16
1 edit
Originally posted by Ghost of a DukeAlways carry a pack of disinfectant wipes in case you need a #2 in a public loo.
My own spiritual routine is to check each morning that I don't have a spiritual routine.
(I'm wary of picking one up accidentally).
(And beware of transsexuals, transgenders and men in hats)
28 Apr 16
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemYeah, what are you planning for?
It's funny how it's easy, for me at least, to get so caught up in planning and making "improvements" and setting goals and worrying about tomorrow that I can't appreciate what's right there in front of me.
Taking care of our physical needs takes but 5-10% of our time, but most people obsess over physicality ,objects and so forth without ever getting "happier"
28 Apr 16
Originally posted by FMFI see a difference between good practice and good works, but also conceded that they overlap
I think all good things flow more from equilibrium than from a set of actions that might be described as "practice", or, shall we say, good actions (practice) stem from a state of balance.
30 Apr 16
Originally posted by karoly aczelUsually nothing too important - what I'm going to eat when I get off work, or what I'm going to do tomorrow, etc. - but I can seemingly find a million little things like this on a given day...
Yeah, what are you planning for?
Taking care of our physical needs takes but 5-10% of our time, but most people obsess over physicality ,objects and so forth without ever getting "happier"
30 Apr 16
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemA spiritual practice like meditation is on-going, unlike, for example, baptism which is an event. And that's exactly the point about it's being a practice: one has to practice it to get proficient at it. When one reaches a certain level of proficiency, it becomes second nature, something like a habit (but a good habit instead of a bad one). Keep going. You'll get there eventually.
I struggle greatly with maintaining my spiritual practice.
After years of searching, I have finally stumbled on a spiritual path that seems promising - perhaps even right for me. (Mainly involving meditation and reducing the role of the ego.)
One problem is that once it gives me a better day or two, I start thinking I don't need it anymore. So I ...[text shortened]... arted.
Would others please share any tips they may have for establishing a spiritual routine?
BTW: when you 'get there' you'll see that there's no there there. Mindfulness will have become as easy and automatic as breathing. (The comparison is not trivial; this is why many meditation traditions start by teaching novices to concentrate on their breathing.)