Retaining Energy Reply...

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This is a great note from Brian, and I'd like to ramble a little on what Zenbob

replied:

 

Indeed, it is not all hamony and bliss in this rat race. I've found, though, in

the short time I've been practicing KY that my world has become more harmonious

and blissful: difficult people in the office have less and less power over me

every day, and I love it. The way I see it is that Iam becoming stronger about

how I feel about myself, and that my higher energy protects me from the weaker

elementals. We become like the flow of water, seeking our own level by leaving

the smaller pebbles and bumbs behind. I have even intuitively begun acting on

what Zenbob says when, 'someone/thing inconsiderate occurs to say something, and

not just be silent about it,' in a proactive manner, of course. I have always

been the silent one.

 

Then, if I can't change the system into a better one, I will seek another level

to flourish in. Intuitively I already know that I can't change the

powers-that-be where I am in the office now, so when Iam ready, the proper

thing/job will present itself to me. And I can smile inwardly knowing this,

because helps me in my own rat race.

**Nancy**

 

*************************************

 

ZEN2WRK wrote:

 

> ZEN2WRK

>

> 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

>

> > "OUR DESTINY IS TO BE HAPPY"

> - Yogi Bhajan

>

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