Classroom Talk
Summer 2001 Archive
Re: This is what it takes, Folks! Posted by Rakesh Sharma on August 13, 2001 at 22:38:10:
In Reply to: Re: This is what it takes, Folks! posted by Jeff on August 13, 2001 at 08:36:48:
Hello Jeff and All,
Thanks for your comments/observations.
You are right. It is easier said than done. Guess that is why the
stress on practice.
Mentoring is one of the issues. Same situation prevails in my home too.
For instance, when I try to coach my kids about meditation/mindfulness
my wife says: "But they are kids. Why are you taking away their
carefree childhood?" (No I am not backbiting or anything of the kind,
because as I said earlier, sincereity and love are not in doubt in the
family) One explanation, I read somewhere, could be that perhaps not
everyone is ready/blessed to step back inside, perhaps they continue to
fancy the reference points outside, to the total neglect of the
universe inside.
The other issue, with reference to myself/individual, is: Could it be
that because I block/negative the moves/suggestions/decisions of others
instead of observing/appreciating them I may be subconsciously blocking
things coming my way.
Let me give a concrete example, because I think I may not be clearly
conveying what I mean. I am delayed and rushing off to an assignment. I
visualise traffic lights on my way as turning green. In reality, I find
I have to stop as many of them turn out to be Red. (This used to happen
some months ago.)
Then I tried another approach. I wished I should be on time. No
visualisation, no nothing. This time too some lights were Red, also ran
into some traffic snarls. But no reaction, no judging, no fear of
missing the assignments and even if such fears cropped up I only
said:"Oh! Just let it be. this is perfect, this is the way it is meant
to be." But to my utter surprise, I found I had reached my assignment
well in time, perhaps that was the fastest I had covered the distance.
Now I try following this. Of course, on some occasions the old
behavious of past 50 summers just block out the newly acquired
knowledge/practice.
This was a rather mundane example. The issue as I see it is that this
habit of beginning our reaction/comment, NO MATTER HOW SINCERE OR PIOUS
at home/office -- "NO BUT I THINK .... or ..BUT IF YOU/WE DO THAT (and
point to the negative aspects of a plan etc) --- How is this habit I am
trying to overcome affecting my spiritual quest. Was this the
roadblock? Is it the only roadblock? Any better way to go past it?
Some pitfalls/roadblocks are readily revealed as we wake up, like this
one, maybe. Could there be others? Can one AT ONE GO, be done with what
may be holding us back here or there without my knowing?
Is there one universal catheter (a tip, a mindful practice)for draning
away all this funny stuff?
I hope I have managed to convey my concerns.
The letters in caps were to stress the point.
Best Regards
Rakesh Sharma
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