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Resolution
lobster
Crusty Veteran
Part of the focus for many, is on being resolute rather than unresolved.
In dharma this takes on the significance of the eight fold path, commitments to practice and intention to . . . well what?
Being a Buddhist of dubious character and strange delusions of talking meditation cushions and numerous inner realms, maybe Mr Cushion would take me more seriously if I:
- Developed a wider kindness
- Was more responsible
- Was more resolute
- Was less contentious
- Made less assumptions
- Tried being less of a smartass
3
Comments
To accept myself as I am and the world as it is...
The first issues that come to me is to work on my anger/sadness/etc. issues and to meditate on what triggers them.
Karma at play again. Making such a thread invokes the thought in others to make a resolution...
Basically, realistic resolutions I can aim to fulfill.
Be today better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow
As a friend of mine used to advise about resolutions, especially around new year's: "Don't make 'em and don't break 'em.
My new year resolution were broken every time but i have observed that every year i have same resolution but their is improvement each year...
It's not bad if you make new year resolution but it should be started soon in december itself.
I wouldn't ordinarily jump in to make a New Year's resolution, but found it felt quite natural and smart to make one with a Buddhist leaning.
I never make resolutions, it always takes me some months to even realise that the year has changed.
But this time, I just might go with some vague things like "get less narsissistic" and "get real, buddy". Every single lifestyle career guru would spit on me for not being precise enough and not having goals but who cares. At least I can alter those as I wish._ Sure I can eat cakes and stuff everyday, that just shows how un-narsissistic (whatever the word is) I am, not caring about gaining bad karma and weight. _*grin*
Suddenly I feel so free....!
Ummm for a number of years mine has been "Don't take life too seriously" I have no problem keeping to it....
My resolution is to well.... There is nothing I really would want to do because of the new year there are things I would want to do anyway but will be done in the new year..... Though I guess just for the heck of it I would like to swim with salmons, dolphins are overated. I just hope there's no bear waiting to eat me.
Also, it is politically-incorrect to eat dolphin, although salmon are still considered an exquisite delicacy by some.
Probably why bears like 'em.... I mean, how many bears have you seen hunting dolphins?
See? I rst my case..... :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:
Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
--Mark Twain
Thanks guys,
I tend to focus on skilful means, it increases clarity, giving better resolution. Of course as people have suggested, a perfect container one immediately breaks, believing it unnecessary, is far from pragmatic.
However . . . La-la land Buddhism . . . Do nothing good or bad as it is all 'the one taste'? Too advanced for me . . . think I am resolved to that . . .
. . . and now back to meditation basics for those with nothing better to do . . .
http://read.plash.in/2014/12/29/power-meditation-helps-us-rediscover-happiness-productivity/
m m m . . .
maybe I will put this up but not read it for more than a month or so . . .
^^ Just what I have been looking for - thanks @lobster. Have gradually been compiling my own but this is a wonderful summary/memory jogger. So happy to see the word "wholesome" is used for the N8P rather than "right"
... just realised, will have to write "and now the laundry" across the bottom!
I actually printed it and put it in my purse, @lobster. (*)
Glad to hear there is some use for my rambling postings . . .
Here is another cheat sheet, for those resolving to be mindful in 2015 . . .
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/mindfulness-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-uk-edition.html
The old hit from Godspell sums it up for me: That is, following my Chosen Ideal, which is in my case a fusion of Buddha, Christ, and Sri Ramakrishna:
Three things I pray:
To see Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly,
Day by day.
AH! I had almost forgotten about this forum (and you lobster to be frank), but wishful thinking and a bubly hangover brought me back to the shore. I feel like opening up a bit online will allow my inner peace to flow.
2014 for me was all about humility. I had come to the realization that I was a selfish asshole, let's call it a late coming of age. So I worked hard to flip that around and take responsability for my own life.
Now that 365 days are ahead of me, I wish to focus on my health. I have planned to gain some weight, as suggested by a doctor. Also I have plans to set up a small shrine, so to speak, to place my modest Buddha sculpture I had for so many years. He never said a word, the guy is so relaxed!
I'd like to take the opportunity also to wish every one of you success in your endeavors, be it cooking, meditating or marrying your love!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thanks @lobster for the cheat sheet.
I have decided to NOT make any New Year's resolutions, chiefly because you lot will make me break them in a week.
Or less.
Another interesting cheatsheet: "The five-minute Buddhist"....
Thank you @lobster. The holiday season has pulled me away from my practice, and I have already broken my resolution to meditate daily. What an undisciplined buddhist I am! I did play my guitar for several hours today, and that's almost as effective.
I HAVE NEVER understood the mentality that New Year's resolutions had to be all-or-nothing. Or that they had to be made by January First and be in effect by then. Symbolically, the month when the two-faced god takes on a different visage (a new persona, or mask) is a good time to start rethinking yourself: what things are most important.
What things are most important?
Being kind? Not provoking others to anger by your self-righteous attitude when you think you're right? Actually considering that maybe you're lovable enough in your fallibilities and inclinations? Are you actually able to conceive the notion that everything you think important is just a particular obsession with things that don't really matter?
What things are most important to change? Lose some weight? Exercise more? Read more widely? Throw off that funk, clean up, energize, plan things on a budget, and throw off that depression? Concentrate on recuperation and let all other worries slide a bit? Sell all that you have and start anew? Renounce your fear of being possessed by another and allow yourself to commit to a lover? Quit the job you hate or find a simple way to let it fit you?
Mindful Music v resolute dissolution . . .
I too am completely undisciplined. I make a determined effort not to squash defenceless cushions in the Buddhist Buttock press . . . however within five minutes, I am back to my daily meditation cushion partying . . .
My wife read my fortune for me from an old book somewhere, and it said that this will not be a good year for me. So in order to prepare and perhaps evade any bad luck, I have decided that this year is the year for me to be as spiritual as I can be, and that means attending religious gatherings, donations, praying, chanting, and meditation. And I'm glad that meditation is always within reach.
For resolutions (not necessarily New Years) pick something that you CAN do and stick to it. That strengthens the power of your word of truth. This is an embodiment of 'Right Effort'