Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/susan_hellein/4564509075/
According to an email I got from Thubten Dhargye Ling, July 15th is one of the days traditionally recognized as being the day of the Buddha's first teaching after becoming enlightened. There is a clear and understandable version of that story about the Middle Way and Four Noble Truths here.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/233228813/
Reading this, I realized it was a good time to check in and find the areas of my life that are balanced or unbalanced. Usually, I do not encounter any trouble erring on the ascetic side. No, the difficulty (probably with many in America as well) is erring on the hedonistic side. Giving in to our wants, desires, and cravings, just because we can.
One of the things I've decided I need to come back to center on is input vs. output in my life. I find myself endlessly looking at things on the computer, but then do not give myself the space to process the information or let this percolate into my own ideas that lead me to produce something that is purely my own. It has been a while since I knitted or made something, aside from dinner every night.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zebrapares/4529836138/
I find the endless hamster wheel of blogs and websites to be tiring and draining, instead of uplifting and inspirational, because my mind spins in convoluted circles even after the physical run on the wheel is over, and I don't get the rest I need.
So, back I go, into my meditation, my restfulness, to let the ideas calm, to make room for the best ones, hopefully, to rise to the surface.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesjordan/3022290830/
So, what about you? What parts of your life do you feel are off-kilter? What can you do to bring it back into balance so that you can be a more rested, happier you? I'd love to hear from you!
Hi Ivy, thank you for visiting my blog. Happy D/Sutta day! I have a tendency to get lost in blogland too, so I know what you mean about experiencing overwhelm, and I hope you find balance!
ReplyDeleteI love this post!
ReplyDeleteI have started writing every morning and evening before bed. This is really helping me digest my thoughts and get ideas down on paper. I have also decided I'm only going to watch TV if it is a program I really want to see. I'm leaving behind the nights of sitting watching the world pass me by from that little box.
I have just started meditating and don't think I'm doing it right, my mind won't shut up! Any tips?
Great post! I so relate to bouncing around in internet land, only to find that I've wasted precious time I could have used towards my own creations! I'm trying to be mindful of this and spend concentrated amounts for set periods of time on "surfing". It's hard, and I have to continually check in, but it seems like just being mindful is a great start, that's why I like your post so much.
ReplyDelete-Kristen