Measure Twice, Cut Once

On my way along my path, I have been noticing how often a person's last ditch and often hopeless attempt at something actually works.

People often leave the thing they dislike (or simply like least) until last - then seem surprised when it seems to work.

Where does this surprise come from?

The thing you put off is usually the reason you tried the others first - They weren't as painful to attempt compared to admitting that your likes and dislikes could be wrong and that you need to start with a fresh new approach that is more likely to work. So everyone tends to fixate on the things that they could do that could go wrong or that they may do poorly in such an attempt. This results in them doing the things that would usually make them hesitate, with more mindfulness and discipline than all their other attempts. Close enough isn't good enough for the things you try to avoid. You only want to do this once! When you attempt what you think is impossible you tend to be more diligent and want to take notes so you can throw it back in the face of all those that suggested it to you. Throw it in your own face for even contemplating doing such an unlikely thing ...

The discipline, the mindfulness and the methodical diligence you apply to your task are what makes it work - Not the fact you hate it.

Having the painful things work opens your eyes to what you have been missing - the ability to access to a more honest and authentic place in the world. Shying away from the truth you see in those moments and convincing yourself that the world is against you will get you know where.

Using the memories that come from times of learning that stick in your mind and skills gained from those experiences will help to startle yourself awake and to open your eyes wide and see the real complexities of the world as it is. Such a view is priceless ...

Walking the Line

Hi there, old chum!

I was reading a blog at nyoho.com, specifically: "my teacher doesn't get me" and it gave me food for thought as I was in the process of going through accessing how I interact with the internet and the world in general.

I still really like to write - and will continue to write for myself. However, as this blog was meant to be a personal storehouse and has slowly transformed into something different - I think it’s time I really review my sharing practices. I am also doing this on the other web services I interact with and in real life as well.

For this type of online stuff, I think I should review it multiple times on separate occasions to ensure concise clarity (as much as I can muster with such a muddled mind on complex topics!) and then post it manually - with no scheduled posts or idea of posting frequency.

Because, put simply, if I would not read it through multiple times on different days - why would anyone else? If I cannot be bothered to post it manually - then need it really be shared?

Incase … (and that’s a big “incase”) anyone is trying to keep up with this in real time - this would create a lag between experience and sharing it - so I may use that space for reflection on the ideas of the topic and their expression as I understand them, or don’t as the case may be.

I must learn that it is okay to have personal things, even if it is just simply writing and as a consequence - not everything needs to be shared. 

{I admit that both ideas are new and strange to me, though :S}

*zen zap!*

The "Helper" Syndrome

One of the themes of practice is the gradual movement from a self-centered life to a more life-centered one. But what about our efforts to become more life-centered—doing good deeds, serving others, dedicating our efforts to good causes? There’s nothing wrong with making these efforts, but they won’t necessarily lead us to a less self-oriented life. Why? Because we can do these things without really dealing with our “self.” Often our efforts, even for a good cause, are made in the service of our desires for comfort, security, and appreciation. Such efforts are still self-centered because we’re trying to make life conform to our picture of how it ought to be. It’s only by seeing through this self—the self that creates and sustains our repeating patterns—that we can move toward a more life-centered way of living.

- Ezra Bayda, from “The ‘Helper’ Syndrome,” Tricycle, Summer 2003