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feeding the fire.

CittaCitta Veteran
edited October 2012 in General Banter
" The problem with paying too much attention to our emotional states is that we reinforce them by treating them as though they are real....If we practice from that place we create even more obstacles for ourselves ".

Tsochen Khandro Rinpoche.
Zerozombiegirl

Comments

  • Wisdom23Wisdom23 Veteran
    agreed ! i can relate to this i myself probably show more compassion and have less attachment to things when im not constantly watching what i say, do and think. Mind you everyone describes me as a 'nice guy' so my nature by be buddhist-esk anyway for others it may be different

    Many Thanks
  • CittaCitta Veteran
    I dont think its a bad thing to be aware of what we say and think, I think its when we take our transient emotions too seriously and identify with them too closely that we can run into problems.
  • musicmusic
    Aren't we supposed to be mindful, like keep watching the emotion until it passes?
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    @music: You can keep watching it without according it reality. From that perspective, it is a phenomenon arising in experience, with nothing construed from it. This is a rather advanced perspective, though.
    Cittapegembara
  • CittaCitta Veteran
    fivebells said:

    @music: You can keep watching it without
    according it reality. From that perspective, it is a phenomenon arising in experience, with nothing construed from it. This is a rather advanced perspective, though.

    Just so...it is possible, though not easy, to view the emotions that arise within us with the same compassionate gaze with which we view birds or butterflies. Those emotions are not us. We are not them.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    These emotions in their purity is the natural state expressed as clarity.

    In some sense it is worth exploring these emotional state if we can because emotions without the imputation of a story or idea can easily bring fruition of clarity.

    In many ways when we practice a bit emotions and our neurosis appear to occur. This is a great thing because it shows us that something is happening. We should focus on the energetic relationship and our body in relation to these emotions be it good or bad.

    So I respect where the quote you posted is coming from, but it isn't always the case. To a Vajrayana practitioner emotions should be fed and with the correct view one can use the passions on the path.

    But I suppose that is basically impossible to do without a basis of emptiness, so generally renunciation is embraced.

    Some thoughts.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited October 2012
    @taiyaki, I think the quote is talking about getting sucked into the prapancha. Sort of like you could be out in the desert having a great nature expedition with all the gear you need or you could be floundering and in need of aid. The quotation I believe is sort of trying to help people out of the quagmire which they are in. It could just be a meditation instruction but it would be provisional and in need of interpretation 'working out the instruction'. So I think the quotation is something to DO rather than something that IS truth. It would be like a technique of skateboarding is something to do rather than a spiritual truth.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    Jeffrey said:

    @taiyaki, I think the quote is talking about getting sucked into the prapancha. Sort of like you could be out in the desert having a great nature expedition with all the gear you need or you could be floundering and in need of aid. The quotation I believe is sort of trying to help people out of the quagmire which they are in. It could just be a meditation instruction but it would be provisional and in need of interpretation 'working out the instruction'. So I think the quotation is something to DO rather than something that IS truth. It would be like a technique of skateboarding is something to do rather than a spiritual truth.

    That is true. I suppose I am making a note that it is possible to work with our shit directly without running away or dressing it up. But I probably misunderstood the quote. Thanks for the heads up.
  • CittaCitta Veteran
    edited October 2012
    It certainly is possible, even necessary. to work with our shit ( ahem ...not a phrase that comes naturally to a middle aged Englishman ) but simply identifying with our emotional stuff or being swept up in it or attempting to understand it intellectually may not be the best way of working with it..perhaps.
  • pegembarapegembara Veteran
    ‘Then Ananda, bear this too as something wonderful and marvelous about the Tathagata. Here, Ananda for the Tathagata feelings are known as they arise, as they are present, as they disappear. Perceptions are known as they arise, as they are present, as they disappear. Thoughts are known as they arise, as they are present, as they disappear. Ananda, bear this too as something wonderful and marvelous about the Blessed One."

    MN123
    http://www.buddhagautama.com/apps/blog/show/6085649-acchariya-abbhuta-sutta-mn-123-the-marvelous-birth-of-the-buddha
  • DaozenDaozen Veteran
    edited October 2012
    Clouds pass across the sky.
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