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Old Sep 12, 2018, 10:47 AM
*Laurie* *Laurie* is offline
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Member Since: Jan 2015
Location: California Uber Alles
Posts: 9,150
Quote:
Originally Posted by KnitChick View Post
Hey Laurie, didn't read your post before mine. I was posting about my understanding of mindfulness in general / answering Amicus's question.

To answer your question: I think there's a misconception about mindfulness, and meditation, that it's supposed to make everything all better. It is my understanding that that is inaccurate. I was reading some Pema Chodron (from her book The Places That Scare You), and she said that if you want to have a practice of meditation, it's about staying with it, even when it gets hard and uncomfortable. Staying with those feelings of anxiety about the future...with whatever comes up, really. I feel like I'm not saying it right though, or as good as she did.

I do have a suggestion about feeling anxiety for the future, even though you are trying to be mindful. I think in those situations, it's best (and I have personally found, helpful. because I experience this too sometimes) to accept it. My mediation facilitator says it like this: "gently hold it, give it space." I'm not even completely sure what she means, but just seeing it in that way helps me all the same. It is not possible to be mindful all the time. And acceptance, whether I like what I'm accepting, or not, has helped too. It's not a perfect system and I'm not a buddha (or buddhist! just a student, here and there)! But I hope I helped you. I will go back and read your post, now!!

There is a term taught while sitting zazen: Just sit with it. Meaning, do not attach to any thought, feeling, or emotion that arises. Simply notice the thought, feeling, emotion, and just sit with it as it comes and goes. I think that's the same concept as Chodron's "stay with it".

I like "gently hold it, give it space".

Thank you for you affirming and helpful post.
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Anonymous50384
Thanks for this!
amicus_curiae