Best Of
For the coming year
A discussion on another forum a few days ago reminded me of this quote:
“Someone recently showed me the annual prospectus of a large spiritual organisation. When I looked through it, I was impressed by the wide choice of interesting seminars and workshops. It reminded me of a smorgasbord, on of those Scandinavian buffets where you can take your pick from a huge variety of enticing dishes. The person asked me whether I could recommend one or two courses. “I don’t know,” I said. “They all look so interesting. But I do know this,” I added. “Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able, whenever you remember. Do that for one year, and it will be more powerfully transformative than attending all of these courses. And it’s free.”
— Eckhart Tolle, ‘A New Earth’
And so I thought, why don’t I try that? A year of being aware of the breath, from 1 September 2025 to 1 September 2026. I know it’s not New Year, but it seems like a good resolution. And after just a few days it is already bearing fruit.
Jeroen
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
I attended the Palestinian solidarity rally on Saturday. The young Palestinian women sang,
The song is a protest song, speaks of the sadness and tears for Palestine that have endured over many years. It calls out the Arab world for “being asleep” and failing to take action, and it criticises the Arab nation’s sickness, caused by troubles and corrupt governments, which leaves people in misery and uncertain about the future. It is a call for awakening, unity, and action not just sympathy.
Shoshin1
Re: Hot Stuff
Also, being used to the heat makes it seem less hot,>
When I lived in Arizona, it seemed odd to me that people would rave about the wonderful climate, yet spent most of their time in air conditioned cars and buildings, or else scampering from one to the other. I really liked the heat, the heat was my friend. In Alaska, I'm cold all the time, even in summer - except for the meager handful of days when the temp rises to somewhere near 21C. Had more of those days than usual this year, but not enough. I'm waiting for the day when the climate warms enough to allow reptiles, amphibians, and large showy insects - rather than all these pesky little gnats and mosquitos - to live and thrive here.
Fosdick
Re: "It's not going to get easier"
Thank you, everyone. It's a lot to consider, but I'll get to it.
RobinH
Re: "It's not going to get easier"
@RobinH said:
Thank you.
1. Yes, I'm overweight. I work night shifts and it's not too exciting, so I've yet to find a substitute for caffeine to help me stay awake for 13 hours like that.
Green tea
- My wife does give me tremendous amount of emotional support, in fact I'm not sure I'd be still around without her. But she's not a very spiritual person and I can't expect her to understand why I'd seek a more spiritual life
Your wife is supportive of you and that's what counts
- America has its own serious issues that are blatantly clear to everyone, but life ain't too easy
here either, after all, people keep reelecting the government that does everything in its power to >divide us, to stigmatize the LGBT+ community and criminalize their efforts to raise awareness (to a >degree that often inspires US lawmakers) and of course our government is the most supportive of >Putin's war from the entire EU. It's not a place where I'd want my future children to go to school and >yet, starting over in a different country would take a huge amount of money we don't have.
Nothing is permanent not even corrupt governments
- Depression is recognized where I live, but the medication they gave me for it does more harm than good, the limited-time free therapy didn't lead anywhere and other types of therapy we can't afford.
Professor Mark Williams
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Depression
Overall, my situation is not as bad as it could be, lots of other people have it way worse. But that alone never seemed to make it better.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
Be well @RobinH 
Shoshin1
Re: "It's not going to get easier"
Hi @RobinH — I think @person touches on something essential, which is focussing on the low-hanging fruit early. For me that was reading the works of enlightened Buddhist teachers, I started with Thich Nhat Hanh and Ajahn Chah. I read a lot, and for me books like The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, and Living Buddha, Living Christ, and The Complete Teachings of Ajahn Chah were inspirational and gave me a big lift. It was an experience, like finding out ‘ah, that’s how it is done’.
For me, meditation was something I had some experiences with when I started which I could never repeat. No matter how much I did, some days two or three hours, it never seemed to move me. So instead I started listening to my body and mind, and when they tell me it’s enough, I stop. When I meditate these days it tends to be for 10-20 minutes. So I’m not sure I’d count that as low-hanging fruit.
As far as starting over in another country is concerned, I saw there are some opportunities, like staying in Swiss villages. Apparently these small Swiss villages and towns are getting depopulated by people moving to larger cities, and the Swiss government is willing to help support anyone who is willing to commit to moving there for a longer period. I heard the relocation money is quite decent, enough to start a small business on. Maybe something for you?
Jeroen
Re: "It's not going to get easier"
dear robin
stress management is the whole path of buddhism. initial struggle in buddhism will lead to ease.
when i started buddhism, i was a ball of mess. didnt know how to regulate my brain. i was a reactionary person. quick to anger, in general an unpleasant person. but the more i kept coming to buddhism the more i learn to change my worldview inside out.
good advise from lobster and a person
my advise take care the body. manage stress little by little. breathe deeply when things feel overwelming. breath alone calms my nerves.
excerise when you can. for me excercise shift my focus to be in the moment and do what the body need for optimal health
free time study the 8 fold destresser approach. this is a guy who has been doing it for tweny years, and from experience my body and mind is less angry less reactionary and more loving to myself and others. life is hard but life can be rewarding if we put the work in little by little it will change us inside out. our struggle will be our ease.
