Fw: retaining energy + Tip

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/16/99 1:44:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

rattanak writes:

 

<< A question for the group.

> >

> > The ability to raise the Kundalini energy seems relatively easy if I do

my

> sets and meditations properly and on a regular basis. The total

> connectiveness with a higher power and sense of well being that I receive

> is a feeling that I would like to keep at all times. My questions is how

to

> keep this energy up in our world of stress and challenges. Its seems that

as

> I go from my secluded excercise area into the regular world the energy

> leaves as the real world intrudes on my serenity. Any ideas?

> > >>

 

Dear Brian:

 

This is refreshingly honest. Many people, once they have taken a spiritual

growth path hate to admit that all is not harmony and light at all times.

Then they must fight the inner turmoil of questioning themselves for some

peculiar fault or error, or acting outwardly to the world that they are

"really in a blissful state, really I am, Damn it!" (LOL) which is both funny

and sad.

 

We must recognize that short of some perfected state of future perfection, we

live as imperfect beings in an imperfect world. We must face pain,

suffering, disappointment. What matters is not so much the perfection of our

meditative abilities, but our grace under fire. When we are in pain, or

suffer, it is often our humor and character that sustain us. Meditation

techniques and inward calm are essential characteristics that we should try

to "build a reserve" of so that when things are testing our resolve and our

sense of peace, that we have these reserves to "dip into" so to speak.

 

I also believe that if our stress is intensified by the actions of others

that are inconsiderate or unfair, then we have an obligation to inform others

of this. This is not a failure of our own self development or

spirituality...it is the real need for us to practice good communication

skills and to ask for fairness, consideration and reasonable kindness from

those we share space with. If we are silent at all times, grit our teeth and

"bear it" seeking to resort to inner spiritual means of dealing with someone

else's rudeness or selfishness, then we end up outwardly tolerating or

condoning this bad behavior, and then act like a martyr trying to inwardly

resolve it. That is not a healthy way of solving these type of stresses. In

cases like this, I usually ask questions of the person or persons that are

being inconsiderate, find their level of attachment and ask what would they

do if "such and such were happening to them..." This obligates them to

reflect and think about the situation...and this is good Dharma at work.

 

Realistically, crowded freeways, commuter traffic, noise, kids on bikes,

skate boards, etc., all contribute to our stress and one cannot have

conversations with all of this passing energy. I find that it is necessary

to have a few "sacred places" that are always quiet, safe and away from the

noise of civilization in order to properly achieve inner balance. I am sure

you do the same.

 

Another technique is to ask yourself questions whenever something seems to

really bother you or increase your stress. What exactly is it about this

thing that seems to get your attention? Why? Keep asking the questions

until you can understand that although this noise or activity may indeed be

outwardly disturbing (to most people) there must be some component within you

that particularly does not like this type of noise or action. Root it out.

Then deal with it constructively. Explain to this part of your mind that

these noises are natural. They are part of life. You have no power to stop

them anymore than you have the power to stop thunder. Once this is really

deeply understood, your anxiety or stress level will drop radically...and

this will surprise you! When loud airliners pass over head do you get very

stressed? I thought not. Your system has become desensitized to the noise.

It is still there, and louder than most other noises, but your brain now

blocks it out.

 

A good mystic or yoga practitioner learns to desensitize themselves to these

daily annoyances and to block out the most jarring intrusions. When I lived

in LA County, I found that I could still enter deep meditative states while

being surrounded by traffic, aircraft noise and yelling kids. I had to focus

on the inner quiet and let go of my attachments or "triggers" associated with

the outer noises. Most noises are cues to action, and our brains demand to

know "what's going on" the basic curiosity being a survival trait. Once the

brain comes to believe that all of this noise and activity are of no more

consequence than the terrible arguments between ants and beetles, it relaxes.

 

One must, of course, be mindful and not decide to meditate or enter a

meditative state while driving or walking across a busy street.

 

Whenever I have felt that stress and conflict are too great, I have chosen to

remove myself from the most stressful aspects. This means saying your peace,

for whatever value it may have, and then excusing yourself and wandering away

to some less stressful place. Take a short break. Walk outside. Clear your

feelings. Shake off the stress. Practice Tai Chi outside. If others see

you, they will be more respectful or at least more careful.

 

If after all is said and done, you are still stressed, then you, like I, must

move to a more rural locale and suffer lower income in exchange for peace of

mind. This is your choice and you must decide where your values and

priorities are.

 

Hoping this will be of some practical help.

 

Warm Regards,

Blessings,

Love,

 

Zenbob

[Guest guest]

ZenBob wrote :

 

When I lived in LA County, I found that I could

still enter deep meditative states while

being surrounded by traffic

_______

 

Hello,

 

When you do that, are you sure you don't increase

the risk of a car accident for example ?

 

I mean crossing the street because it is your

turn, without checking that a car if

misbehaving ?

 

Froggy (splashy ?) Jacques

--

Jacques De Schryver et Linda Steven

http://jdsetls.virtualave.net/Kundalini/kundalini.html

http://www.home.ch/~spaw9019/cours.html

http://www.i-france.com/jdsetls/

http://www.multimania.com/jdsetls/Surfeur_Fou/NOF_3.0/nof_3.0.html

http://www.multimania.com/jdsetls/MHR/html/lois_et_proverbes.html

http://www.multimania.com/jdsetls/html/carrefour.html

Site de Linda : http://www.multimania.com/lsteven

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/19/99 10:53:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time, jdsetls

writes:

 

<< When I lived in LA County, I found that I could

still enter deep meditative states while

being surrounded by traffic

_______

 

Hello,

 

When you do that, are you sure you don't increase

the risk of a car accident for example ?

 

I mean crossing the street because it is your

turn, without checking that a car if

misbehaving ?

 

>>

While sitting in a park...or sitting in a car in park...or sitting in a

parked car.

 

Thanks Jacques for your gems, your Citroens of wisdom and wit.

 

Zenbob