Breathe...there is only one...I say that because I woke up this morning and laid there and asked myself - If I am conscious, what is the purpose of life/consciousness?...and here you are, answering the question...unfortunately, your answer is wrong...guiltily and ashamedly, notice that doesn't stop me, I write there is more, different, and better sex to pursue...less guiltily and ashamedly, I should be doing more with my time...I could be volunteering more...we should be giving more of our money away...I should lose weight...exercise more...meditate more...or I could breathe...and "From this simple undivided presence, intelligent action (and intelligent thinking) can emerge."...Thank You Joan, love, Tom ❤️
This resonates so clearly and strongly - thank you. I have my own little “handle” phrase I use to remind myself that it’s always possible to shift from the “I’m a little, separate, vulnerable bug and I have to fight back” perspective to “this is all one and it is what I am” perspective: I call it “shift into grace”. And I can feel it! Right in the moment when I’m getting angry/defensive/sorry for myself - just the act of reminding myself “oh yeah, shift into grace” changes me right in that moment. Your writings, and pointers to other wonderful writings, have helped me and taught me so much over the years. Thank you for these priceless gifts. Blessings.
Just reading Steve Harrison's ''Doing Nothing '. A zen poem on the inside cover sums it up:- 'Sitting quietly, doing nothing-spring comes and the grass grows.'
Thank you Joan. This is such a helpful confirmation of my increasing understanding and my awkward attempts at letting go and just being. Your writings are extremely helpful.
I'm not entirely sure what you're saying. I wasn't really recommending paying attention to the breath as a practice or a method, although I know many schools of meditation do recommend that. I do find attending to the breath can be calming, grounding and a wonderful revelation about the borderless and fluid nature of reality.
I'm not sure exactly how to phrase the thought I was trying to express there, to be honest, sorry if I'm being a bit vague. I've been thinking about whether attention to breathing is or isn't or should be a method or practice. I find that it "works" the way you're writing about in this post and the way you said in your response. I've always felt like there was some tension between attending to breathing and more open attention - especially when I used to be part of an online community with a lot of people with very structured practices and a few very vocal people doing practice more along the lines of what you suggest. This post tied the whole thing up very neatly for me and helped me to not be so worried about all of that.
Ah, yes...structured and methodical vs. open and unstructured...and various things in between as well...there are so many ways of being and exploring...and some people in all the different camps can get very dogmatic and fundamentalist about their way being the only way, but imo, we all have to find our own way, what resonates and works for us in each moment, or what shows up in each moment, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way. It's a relief when the concern falls away. 🙏
Gracias!! Bello y sencillo. 😊
Breathe...there is only one...I say that because I woke up this morning and laid there and asked myself - If I am conscious, what is the purpose of life/consciousness?...and here you are, answering the question...unfortunately, your answer is wrong...guiltily and ashamedly, notice that doesn't stop me, I write there is more, different, and better sex to pursue...less guiltily and ashamedly, I should be doing more with my time...I could be volunteering more...we should be giving more of our money away...I should lose weight...exercise more...meditate more...or I could breathe...and "From this simple undivided presence, intelligent action (and intelligent thinking) can emerge."...Thank You Joan, love, Tom ❤️
This resonates so clearly and strongly - thank you. I have my own little “handle” phrase I use to remind myself that it’s always possible to shift from the “I’m a little, separate, vulnerable bug and I have to fight back” perspective to “this is all one and it is what I am” perspective: I call it “shift into grace”. And I can feel it! Right in the moment when I’m getting angry/defensive/sorry for myself - just the act of reminding myself “oh yeah, shift into grace” changes me right in that moment. Your writings, and pointers to other wonderful writings, have helped me and taught me so much over the years. Thank you for these priceless gifts. Blessings.
I will sleep easier tonight reading your beautiful writing Joan, love and gratitude x
Beautiful and much needed reminder, thank you 🙏❤️
Breathing with you,and all the other beings,in peace and love and gratitude.
Always beautiful 🦋
Thank you so much
Just reading Steve Harrison's ''Doing Nothing '. A zen poem on the inside cover sums it up:- 'Sitting quietly, doing nothing-spring comes and the grass grows.'
Breathe. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you! Namaste 🙏😁❤️
Thank you Joan. This is such a helpful confirmation of my increasing understanding and my awkward attempts at letting go and just being. Your writings are extremely helpful.
Margaret
Thank you Joan, a lovely reminder of simply being here.
Really appreciate the bridging between breathing and methodless practice - something I've been wanting to see for some time
I'm not entirely sure what you're saying. I wasn't really recommending paying attention to the breath as a practice or a method, although I know many schools of meditation do recommend that. I do find attending to the breath can be calming, grounding and a wonderful revelation about the borderless and fluid nature of reality.
I'm not sure exactly how to phrase the thought I was trying to express there, to be honest, sorry if I'm being a bit vague. I've been thinking about whether attention to breathing is or isn't or should be a method or practice. I find that it "works" the way you're writing about in this post and the way you said in your response. I've always felt like there was some tension between attending to breathing and more open attention - especially when I used to be part of an online community with a lot of people with very structured practices and a few very vocal people doing practice more along the lines of what you suggest. This post tied the whole thing up very neatly for me and helped me to not be so worried about all of that.
Ah, yes...structured and methodical vs. open and unstructured...and various things in between as well...there are so many ways of being and exploring...and some people in all the different camps can get very dogmatic and fundamentalist about their way being the only way, but imo, we all have to find our own way, what resonates and works for us in each moment, or what shows up in each moment, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way. It's a relief when the concern falls away. 🙏
<3
A lovely, powerful reminder! Thanks, Joan.
Beautiful! Thank you, Joan