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Already noticing a difference

pyramidsongpyramidsong Veteran
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I could be delusional, but I have been practicing (meditating and trying to follow the Noble Eightfold Path) for about two weeks now and I could swear I'm already feeling a shift in the way I feel and see the world.

It's extremely fleeting, but I'm already noticing a more...thoughtful way of speaking. Also, my anxiety (I suffer from chronic anxiety) seems to be slightly less severe. I actually find myself looking forward to meditation, and am even becoming more mindful of the way I eat. The strange thing about all of this is that most of it isn't conscious, or an effort. It just...is.

I'm not becoming attached to or expecting this feeling, but it is something I'm noticing.

Anyone else? I certainly didn't expect the positive effects of practice to be so immediately apparent...

Comments

  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I have a habit of getting excited about new ideas. However, as soon as I get the main idea or sort of understand what's involved, my excitement diminishes. Things I don't understand allure me. For example, when I first heard beatboxing, I had to learn it and I did. When I saw magic tricks, I had to know how they were done. When I heard techno music, I had to learn to make my own. When I heard a guitar playing, I had to learn how to play. This extends to computer programming, 3d animation, graphic design, web design, engineering design, electronics and so on. Right now, my interest is in quantum physics.

    As such, I am sort of a jack of all trades, master of none.

    In the same way, when I started learning about Buddhism, I was excited. It was all new and different, something I have not ventured into before. I meditated every other hour, I read sutras and listened to audio dharma. The effects were almost immediate. It was great.

    However, as with other things, now that I feel like I kind of get the general idea, I am not as excited and motivated to follow the practice with as much dedication as I had when I first jumped into it.

    So yeah, long story short. I have experienced the greatest effects at the start as well. However, now that I don't take it as seriously, the effects have plateaued. The insight gained initially is still there, but there's no progress.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited November 2010
    I'm very new too, i'm not sure exactly how long i've been practicing maybe 6 weeks but I have noticed a hugely positive impact on my life. It's bound to help you just as soon as you let it.
  • TheFoundTheFound
    edited November 2010
    "A house in a zoo will serve no master, a hurricane can topple an elephant with no foundation..."
  • pyramidsongpyramidsong Veteran
    edited November 2010
    TheFound wrote: »
    "A house in a zoo will serve no master, a hurricane can topple an elephant with no foundation..."

    I like this quote, but I have to admit I don't fully understand it. Can you elaborate, please? :)
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Try to just focus on being, forget everything else.
    Everything else will come.
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