Sogyal Rinpoche explains that there is much more to meditation than saying mantras and burning incense. Find out more - http://www.rigpa.org/
Meditation is the highway home- Dolano speaks of her own experience with meditation, and what true meditation is. She confirms that one has to go far away from home in order to come back and value what is- simply what is. This is an audio excerpt from one of Dolano's open satsangs; see www.dolano.com for info on her intensive satsangs.
How often do you meditate? How have you made your meditation an unique or special experience?
My Response To Save Me
It was a response to a post on Pursuit of Something Real, a wonderful blog that helps you re-examine your life in a none judgemental way. I've written a response to the post called Save Me, but because of my computer problems I will postpone the post. Instead please read Save Me,written by Lazy King of Bored...Get Unbored and take the time to respond for yourself...
I think that your life is not in a bad place, just different than what you are use to. I think the real problem is that you do know who you really are. The solution...Learn to let go of your ego through meditation and spend time to connecting to your spirit.
When you are attached to a certain life and how people perceive you it is almost impossible to experience lasting joy. Instead you become addicted to certain things that only bring short term happiness; that life is exhausting because you are constantly running after something, like a chasing of the wind. When you take time to sit still, quiet your thoughts and get to know your spirit (who you really are) you start to appreciate the now (your present life) and gain emotional stability& confidence in yourself and the world around you.
When you first start to meditate it will feel difficult because your ego and anything else you identify with, will feel like it's being starved to death. Thought will come to you like, "this is a waste of time... I can't learn how to mediate the right way..." but if you can practice observing these thoughts, instead of identifying with them it will get easier.
The brilliant and beautiful you already exists. You have not spent enough time getting to know yourself so you don't know yourself very well. What you know is something that your mind has created, a list of traits, interest, accomplishments and failures. Those things are experiences that do not define you. You want to learn to enjoy life: go to the park to bird watch, stare at a flower, close your eyes focus on your breath, do away with labeling things as good or bad (right or wrong).
Meditation helps you to accept things as they are. If you can accept them, you can learn to appreciate them. If can learn to appreciate them you can learn to improve them.
My new motto is "The path to joy is paved with acceptance" and I think that this might work for you. In other words when life gets hard and you feel bad about the direction it is going, focus on accepting what is, the way that it is and you will find yourself more grateful and joyful. Above all I would advice you to just be...get to know yourself...just be still (mind, body and soul)... I truly believe a new perception you will solve most of your problems.
If you have read Save Me how did you respond? What do you do when are struggling to find the meaning of life? What role does the ego play in personal insecurities?
