ahimsa
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mosleynicki
Dec 2, 2012, 2:01:56 PM12/2/12
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I just wanted to thank Benoit for sharing your story of living in the moment and being present to the struggles that come with his experience. Being on call is a fascinating practice ground for the precepts I think!
I've been 'thinking' a lot about what it feels like to function and walk through life on the koan level vs. the literal level...wondering what that experience is and if I would ever know the difference between literal, compassionate and koan levels based on feeling, sensation, intuition - how one knows?! The best cerebral understanding that's come up for me so far has been - being completely in the present moment aware of all the interactions taking place in life. I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on 'being precepts'...!
In the past week an awareness of 'holding' in my body has been raised. Holding being a tension, a subconscious way of protecting myself, or maybe even clinging. I had an experience with this holding the other day while sitting where I really got present to the energy and sensation of it. It was fascinating to see what happened within being fully present. The holding softened...there was a heart opening which led to the release of this clinging or holding...almost like once I accepted this holding for being present, it let go. Is the experience of holding, a place of control that denies being the precepts?
One other thought - in watching this week's video (which was fascinating!) I was curious about the part where Pat speaks about framing the experience with the woman - that you can manage whatever is to come, it will pass. I am interested in the role of acceptance in ahimsa..the belief that you are enough and have all that is necessary to get through a challenging situation, and how being present supports that. Any thoughts welcomed!
Hope this finds everyone well - just wanted to put some questions and thoughts that were coming up out there. I would love to hear thoughts, feedback questions back - or some of your experiences and questions coming up within this course.
Much light!
Nicki
I've been 'thinking' a lot about what it feels like to function and walk through life on the koan level vs. the literal level...wondering what that experience is and if I would ever know the difference between literal, compassionate and koan levels based on feeling, sensation, intuition - how one knows?! The best cerebral understanding that's come up for me so far has been - being completely in the present moment aware of all the interactions taking place in life. I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on 'being precepts'...!
In the past week an awareness of 'holding' in my body has been raised. Holding being a tension, a subconscious way of protecting myself, or maybe even clinging. I had an experience with this holding the other day while sitting where I really got present to the energy and sensation of it. It was fascinating to see what happened within being fully present. The holding softened...there was a heart opening which led to the release of this clinging or holding...almost like once I accepted this holding for being present, it let go. Is the experience of holding, a place of control that denies being the precepts?
One other thought - in watching this week's video (which was fascinating!) I was curious about the part where Pat speaks about framing the experience with the woman - that you can manage whatever is to come, it will pass. I am interested in the role of acceptance in ahimsa..the belief that you are enough and have all that is necessary to get through a challenging situation, and how being present supports that. Any thoughts welcomed!
Hope this finds everyone well - just wanted to put some questions and thoughts that were coming up out there. I would love to hear thoughts, feedback questions back - or some of your experiences and questions coming up within this course.
Much light!
Nicki
lawson.kathy
Dec 3, 2012, 11:19:42 PM12/3/12
to cogpr...@googlegroups.com
Just had the opportunity to watch this week's video and will echo Nicki's comment. So interesting. I have so much gratitude to Pat for sharing her experience. Reconciling my commitment to reproductive rights including abortion with my commitment to non-harming (albeit before I knew it as ahimsa) has been a struggle for me for some time. Having Pat's perspective as a provider AND Buddhist practitioner is invaluable.
And, yes, the idea of acceptance that we do do violence in the world (as Celeste mentioned, too) and that we experience violence (or suffering, though they are not quite the same thing)...wow. Not acceptance as complacency but as truly seeing the impact of our actions (and even thoughts) on others and ourselves. Does this insight, this mindfulness, in some way mitigate the violence done? Not forgive it, per se, but soften the charge, not "add insult to injury?" How does it play into the karmic cycle; that is, as we develop greater mindfulness do we prospectively reduce future violence?
So fascinating. Very much looking forward to talking more about all this. All best,
Kathy
And, yes, the idea of acceptance that we do do violence in the world (as Celeste mentioned, too) and that we experience violence (or suffering, though they are not quite the same thing)...wow. Not acceptance as complacency but as truly seeing the impact of our actions (and even thoughts) on others and ourselves. Does this insight, this mindfulness, in some way mitigate the violence done? Not forgive it, per se, but soften the charge, not "add insult to injury?" How does it play into the karmic cycle; that is, as we develop greater mindfulness do we prospectively reduce future violence?
So fascinating. Very much looking forward to talking more about all this. All best,
Kathy
lawson.kathy
Dec 3, 2012, 11:21:54 PM12/3/12
to cogpr...@googlegroups.com
Just had the opportunity to watch this week's video and will echo
Nicki's comment. So interesting. I have so much gratitude to Pat for
sharing her experience. Reconciling my commitment to reproductive rights
including abortion with my commitment to non-harming (albeit before I
knew it as ahimsa) has been a struggle for me for some time. Having
Pat's perspective as a provider AND Buddhist practitioner is invaluable.
And, yes, the idea of acceptance that we do do violence in the world (as Celeste mentioned, too) and that we experience violence (or suffering, though they are not quite the same thing)...wow. Not acceptance as complacency but as truly seeing the impact of our actions (and even thoughts) on others and ourselves. Does this insight, this mindfulness, in some way mitigate the violence done? Not forgive it, per se, but soften the charge, not "add insult to injury?" How does it play into the karmic cycle; that is, as we develop greater mindfulness do we prospectively reduce future violence?
So fascinating. Very much looking forward to talking more about all this. All best,
Kathy
And, yes, the idea of acceptance that we do do violence in the world (as Celeste mentioned, too) and that we experience violence (or suffering, though they are not quite the same thing)...wow. Not acceptance as complacency but as truly seeing the impact of our actions (and even thoughts) on others and ourselves. Does this insight, this mindfulness, in some way mitigate the violence done? Not forgive it, per se, but soften the charge, not "add insult to injury?" How does it play into the karmic cycle; that is, as we develop greater mindfulness do we prospectively reduce future violence?
So fascinating. Very much looking forward to talking more about all this. All best,
Kathy
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