Knowing?

naturelover

The last couple of days my life experiences have pushed most of what I thought I knew out of the forefront of my mind. And I've behaved for the most part as someone with no mindfulness.

What does it take to behave like a Buddhist when everything hits the fan? I've been meditating and practicing mindfulness, but that was when the path was smooth. How do I keep it together when the path gets rocky?

shenpennangwa

When things get tough its an excellent opportunity for us to assess our progress as practitioners. Its not easy but over time you will develop a set of unique skills that allow you to deal with challenging situations.
Its probably too early for you to see much of a significant difference but if you stick with your practice it will get better.

upalabhava

Practice Joyful Perseverance in the face of adversity.

What's joyful perseverance?
It's zestful vigor for being constructive.
Its opposing factors are explained as lethargy,
clinging to what's negative (or petty),
And, from being discouraged, disparaging oneself.

Ch. 7 of Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior by Santideva

seeker242

nature lover wrote: »

The last couple of days my life experiences have pushed most of what I thought I knew out of the forefront of my mind. And I've behaved for the most part as someone with no mindfulness.

What does it take to behave like a Buddhist when everything hits the fan? I've been meditating and practicing mindfulness, but that was when the path was smooth. How do I keep it together when the path gets rocky?

"A path with little resistance is not a very solid path" ~Some Yogi Guy (forget his name):)

Joshu-sDog

I'm currently going through a 'down' day today. Nothing is going 'wrong' per se, but the energy and vitality of the previous days and weeks seems to be tailing off a little bit.

And I'm finding myself fine with it.

When things go really wrong, engage in the practice of patient forbearance. All things must pass, so just try to relax and let it go past.

But at the same time, I'm finding it very useful to essentially compare and contrast one time with another. At the moment, I am feeling a little bit lacking in energy, a little bit distracted... wheras previously I was full of energy and very focused. It's helping me see the changing nature of experience and yet at the same time letting me see that something remains fundamentally the same - the nature of change itself.

So to cut a long ramble short, when things go bad practice your patience in the face of great difficulty... but also realise that it is when the road gets troubled that we can learn the most about ourselves.

I hope your practice continues whatever life throws at you!

_/|\_

ZendoLord84

nature lover wrote: »

The last couple of days my life experiences have pushed most of what I thought I knew out of the forefront of my mind. And I've behaved for the most part as someone with no mindfulness.

What does it take to behave like a Buddhist when everything hits the fan? I've been meditating and practicing mindfulness, but that was when the path was smooth. How do I keep it together when the path gets rocky?

i'ts not about the path....it's about you walking on the path....the path shouldn't change to make you walk easier. You should practise your walking so the path get's easier.

naturelover

Joshu's Dog wrote: »

I hope your practice continues whatever life throws at you!

_/|\_

My practice will continue. I'm practicing mindfulness today. What is past is past. I feel stronger because of my meditation, more in control of my mind and my body. Even though I've stumbled, this moment is a moment of peace. I was feeling very unsettled yesterday, but I did manage to remember that that was just a feeling which would pass. And it did, slowly,too slowly for me. More patience.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I realize now that I've been prideful of what little progress I've made. I'll be more humble in the future. Good lesson learned.