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Finding the Middle Way
GuyC
Veteran
Hi All,
I find that much of my so-called "practice" consists of bouncing between laziness and over-exertion. I have an idea of what the Middle Way is but rarely do I feel like I am actually walking it. It is like watching a pendulum swing back and forth.
The way it happens is that I notice I am getting lazy so I think "right, that's it, no more messing around!" then I try too hard and create too much tension so I think "I just need to be gentle, relaxed, take it easy" and so on.
It does seem like the more I practice the less intense these swings become, so I wonder if maybe it is just a matter of time and practice until I become more consistent at getting things "just right".
Has anyone else experienced (or continues to experience) this pendulum effect, if so, what is your response to it?
With Metta,
Guy
I find that much of my so-called "practice" consists of bouncing between laziness and over-exertion. I have an idea of what the Middle Way is but rarely do I feel like I am actually walking it. It is like watching a pendulum swing back and forth.
The way it happens is that I notice I am getting lazy so I think "right, that's it, no more messing around!" then I try too hard and create too much tension so I think "I just need to be gentle, relaxed, take it easy" and so on.
It does seem like the more I practice the less intense these swings become, so I wonder if maybe it is just a matter of time and practice until I become more consistent at getting things "just right".
Has anyone else experienced (or continues to experience) this pendulum effect, if so, what is your response to it?
With Metta,
Guy
0
Comments
example, it could means avoid of the both extreme, or it could means beyond existing and non-existing , beyond the truth of emptiness and the truth of temporary existence etc etc
That pendulum effect is certainly no stranger to my world. The way I have approached it is: to recognize that it doesn't come up when I am not self-referencing. Rather than investing my time into labeling actions or inactions, I sit and catch myself deciding "how I have been acting."
I've found that my mind was in the middle of comparing itself to two extremes of motivation, expression, peacefulness or whatever. When I pull back into my body, without labels, it becomes apparent what to do next, and I do that. There is a natural flow to where and when the next step is, and so I put myself into that space.... almost as though the path is rising up to meet me.
It might be to sit, it might be to run, but either way it happens without mental noise or any kind of feeling of "out of balance"... even if I breathe hard at the end, or fall asleep. There is never a question of me doing the wrong action, it simply doesn't come up. Its like knowing you've just spelled a word right. When you are clear in mind and have an understanding of yourself, you know you're laying actions down correctly. Does that make sense?
With warmth,
Matt
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks Matt.