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Am I "doing this right"?

ThusThus
edited September 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Every now and then I'll read a good book and for a few days I'll have a very clear view of things, and a much easier time staying mindful since I have a framework and context to work with.

Then over time the potency of the previous reading will fade and I'll sort of return to normal life, and I feel like once again I'm just stumbling around in a dream and not really paying attention to things.

I recognize the impermanence of the clarity that arises after reading a new author, and understand on an intellectual level that the concepts I devise and refer back to in order to maintain clear mindfulness are probably hindrances.

Am I "doing this right"? I can't help but feel I must constantly be reading something new so that my mind gets a healthy dose of the thoughts that are likely to condition increased mindfulness.

I have not been at this for very long.

Comments

  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Shouldn't meditation help with clarity and mindfulness? I certainly know what you mean though, so I am interested in the responses as well.
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Am I "doing this right"?

    If you don't have a consistent and sustained meditation concentration/insight practice, then no.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Part of clarity is seeing when you are confused. Clarity is indestructible and is always with you. You just have to remember that at times you are confused and at times clear.
  • username_5username_5
    edited September 2010
    Do you have a regular practice where you know what you are doing each day and why? If not I would recommend the book Wake Up to Your Life by Ken McLeod.

    Working with the teaching and activities in the book (mostly meditation, but also contemplation) will take a discliplined, daily meditator a solid year or more and at the end the individual will have a very solid practice. I suspect it would remove that 'am I doing this right' feeling.
  • questionfulquestionful
    edited September 2010
    I think I suffer from the frequent loss of clarity too. Sometimes, I think very directly correlated with lack of meditation, my mind just goes insane with its old habits yet again. I think I just have to be very patient, because I do think I have seen a little progress overall. Just gotta keep going. And meditate more often.
  • ThusThus
    edited September 2010
    seeker242 wrote: »
    If you don't have a consistent and sustained meditation concentration/insight practice, then no.
    It isn't very consistent, usually 4 times per week on average. That's probably why.
  • DazzleDazzle
    edited September 2010
    The best way to develop a peaceful mind and ''a clear view of things'' is through regular meditation and the practice of mindfulness during daily activities.

    This is the introduction to a very good meditation series.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o


    With kind wishes


    Dazzle


    .
  • ThusThus
    edited September 2010
    username_5 wrote: »
    Do you have a regular practice where you know what you are doing each day and why? If not I would recommend the book Wake Up to Your Life by Ken McLeod.

    Working with the teaching and activities in the book (mostly meditation, but also contemplation) will take a discliplined, daily meditator a solid year or more and at the end the individual will have a very solid practice. I suspect it would remove that 'am I doing this right' feeling.
    Thank you, this book was previously recommended to me by my Buddhist Metaphysics professor. I'll check it out.
  • bodhiactivitybodhiactivity
    edited September 2010
    Thus wrote: »
    Every now and then I'll read a good book and for a few days I'll have a very clear view of things, and a much easier time staying mindful since I have a framework and context to work with.

    Then over time the potency of the previous reading will fade and I'll sort of return to normal life, and I feel like once again I'm just stumbling around in a dream and not really paying attention to things.

    I recognize the impermanence of the clarity that arises after reading a new author, and understand on an intellectual level that the concepts I devise and refer back to in order to maintain clear mindfulness are probably hindrances.

    Am I "doing this right"? I can't help but feel I must constantly be reading something new so that my mind gets a healthy dose of the thoughts that are likely to condition increased mindfulness.

    I have not been at this for very long.


    Hi Thus, our habits of delusion and mindlessless (as opposed to mindfulness) have been reinforced for a very long time. Even if one doesn't consider past lives, this life we are already very conditioned people. For our understanding of Truth to seep in, for right actions to be done, right sentiments to arise in accordance to dharma does not happen quickly. There is constant inertia from our present conditionings. So we should be prepared to proceed with patience and consistency for the rest of our life.

    Myself, having practised quite a while, i still find books, reminders, friends' lectures, teachings, etc very very helpful. It brings our focus back and it is extremely important for us to surround ourselves with the kind of influences we would like to become because as beginners we need this kind of constant input both consciously and sub-consciously. The friends we have, the things that go into our consciousness everyday affects to a great extent the type of person we become... if you don't believe, observe people and their cliques, you'd find alot of similarities... and more to come with time.

    Control your environment, soak yourself in the wisdom inspiration of past wisdom people, and develop love and compassion in yourself... gradually you will find that these qualities will also become part of you. Our minds are not static, they are constantly changing, and how they evolve, depends on your own efforts and habituation.
    ;)
  • GuyCGuyC Veteran
    edited September 2010
    One thing you could try is to interview yourself.

    Start off with this question: "Am I practicing the Noble Eightfold Path?"

    Then just write down the first answer that comes, don't try to over-think things. Then continue with an appropriate follow up question, maybe ask about each aspect of the path (e.g. What am I doing to correct my wrong views and how do I know if I have Right View? Do I practice Right Intention? How? Right Speech? Right Action? etc)

    Write it all down and then see what aspects of the Path need improvement (in my case when I did this recently it was pretty much the whole Path).
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