Best Of
Thoughts on Conquering Sleep/Attachment to Lethargy
From a more Vedantic perspective, but I'm open to Buddhist reflections:
When you wake up, the seeds of problems that are embedded in sleep sprout up in full fruition the moment you cross the threshold of waking. You immediately shift from the consciousness of absence to the consciousness of problems: what are my obligations today? What will happen in three hours? Did I oversleep? Did I forget something? The fact you were conscious of absence meant also that you were self-situated and therefore at peace. This is because there was nothing besides you to distract away from you. You are conscious of absence in the waking state as well, though not as pronouncedly; you know you are above anxiety at least. You still engage with objects, but you are settled in your subjectivity. You are primed; you are ready.
The trauma of waking up is therefore simply due to an ill, abrupt transition where there is no self-situated rationality to weather all things.
So one's duty first thing when one crosses the threshold of waking, is to be aware of oneself and immediately shut down all worry. Do not let the weeds of thoughts sprout up instantaneously (or at least, any more than they already have). Remember that the Self cannot be grieved. Only apparently. One moves on right the next moment. Be attentive of That. Do not lose sight of yourself at the Threshold of Sleep/Waking. Know the Fourth, which is the One. Be the Turiyam. Associate and Finally Identify with It.
Remember that sleep is not the absence of consciousness but the consciousness of absence.... So be conscious of absence during waking, and you won't miss it in sleep....
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
@lobster said:
Do ex monk hedgehogs become monks again if humble in the presence of sangha?Enquiring minds need to know …
This is a good question. I think the hedgehog can "recover" former merits through listening to chanting or being treated fairly.
They say you can't transmit merit to hedgehog, but you can practice generosity by feeding him.
Kotishka
Re: AR
Heh! Heh! Some people are living an augmented reality. Quite a number of them in politics.
Lionduck
Re: Timing, discipline, strictness, flow
What moment doesn't offers a choice of moving towards or away from suffering's causes?
how
Timing, discipline, strictness, flow
I'm currently studying Psychology and picking up ANY kind of work I'm able to find. I'm also helping my parents and my partner. Sometimes I was overwhelmed by this, and found that "practice" was impossible. I tried sticking to a group meditation session (for consistency) but my shifting schedules made it so hard that I ended up having to drop out because there was no way. Even my daily practice was being interrupted.
In Spanish, we have a saying: "Quién quiere, puede" "If you want it, you get it". That's the motivation! What's behind the motivation? Wholesomeness, compassion, and hard-work! That last bit is what I forget sometimes in the path. It is hard-work, it is re-wiring your brain, ordering your mind; like cleaning a huge basement. It is not about getting it all cleared -which would be great- but maintaining certain consistencu and also learning how not to clutter up and return to the previous unwholesome / chaotic State.
For my case, I learnt I simply had to go to bed early, wake up earlier. I found quite inspirational this ex-marine called Jocko Wilkins. I know it might not sound very Buddhist / compassionate, but I take his discipline and the physical exercise routine as great aids to my path.
Good day to you all!
Kotishka