tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post8984762265780531726..comments2023-04-05T06:16:16.259-07:00Comments on No Way Cafe: There Is No HowGalen Pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-92033272671800093632017-06-04T12:01:24.065-07:002017-06-04T12:01:24.065-07:00Complete sense, CD. I had to laugh about your desc...Complete sense, CD. I had to laugh about your description of your mind wandering while you are doing a form. I have been practicing straight sword for the last few years, and have learned (sort of) three forms, and I'm working on a fourth. More often than I care to admit, when I'm doing one form, my mind will wander and before I know it, I have morphed into a different form. Focus focus focus. Agaaiinnn! Thanks for the conversation. Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-6363605063075742702017-06-04T07:13:11.399-07:002017-06-04T07:13:11.399-07:00Your comment regarding your martial art practice h...Your comment regarding your martial art practice hit a chord with me, too, Galen.<br />I've been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for nearly 30 years; one would think that following those hundreds of repetitions the forms would become almost mechanically mindless routines. Ever had this experience: while practicing I let my focus shift to an "unrelated" thought, a passerby in the park, an Apple Betty recipe modification and BOOM...I have "lost track" of what form is next?<br /><br />Being "awake to the moment", being conscience of the task elements, experiencing the foot planting in the step, or enjoying her smile are lost if/when I forget to "Do Nothing" but experience the moment naturally and honestly.<br /><br />Repetitively, as you suggest, is the best Practice. <br /><br />Make sense?Conveyance Doctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05600805555981581547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-78302648519357323382017-06-02T22:07:59.187-07:002017-06-02T22:07:59.187-07:00I think your description is spot on, CD. Experienc...I think your description is spot on, CD. Experience each moment directly, without judgment, manipulation, desire or aversion. As you say, naturally and honestly. I think that is as enlightened as it gets. <br /><br />But it only lasts that moment. Then we do it again in the next moment. And the next. One of my martial arts teachers is fond of saying "Agaaiiiinnnn." I think with enough practice, experiencing moments naturally and honestly can become habitual. Enlightened moments begin to string together until it seems constant. <br /><br />So are we finding or gaining enlightenment, as you call it? I would say that we are releasing everything that is not the natural and honest experience of each moment. When we release all of that, we allow ourselves to experience our natural state. Enlightenment is revealed, perhaps, rather than gained. <br /><br />What if we don't row, but just let our boats flow gently with the current? <br /><br />Your comments about purpose made me think of the story about Buddha walking down the road. A person is walking the other way, towards him, and sees that there is something remarkable about Buddha. He asks Buddha if he is a god or a king. Buddha says no. Well, then what are you, he asks. Awake, says Buddha. <br /><br />I went to a workshop years ago in which we developed our personal life mission statements. I don't remember now what mine said. But if I had to answer today, I would say my mission is to wake up. <br /><br />Trying...no, not trying. Ha!Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-38629073233041501772017-06-02T19:07:33.286-07:002017-06-02T19:07:33.286-07:00Your post is so thought provoking, so relevant.
I...Your post is so thought provoking, so relevant. <br />It brought me to thoughts about Life's Purpose. I've contemplated this for decades, my "purpose"; I defined (or at least stated) my purpose about 20 years ago.<br />Today, as your post suggests, I wonder...<br />Can't read about my purpose in a book. Can't accept my purpose description from someone outside of "me." Can't be sure that my purpose was predestined at birth. Can't be sure that it is an it that can be found as I live my life.<br />So...perhaps my purpose is to experience this (each) moment "naturally", "honestly" as it unfolds.<br />Could this be similar to finding/gaining enlightenment?<br />"Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream..."Conveyance Doctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05600805555981581547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-53306860766488454932017-05-29T07:44:34.750-07:002017-05-29T07:44:34.750-07:00Yoda was a smart little Jedi, wasn't he? And y...Yoda was a smart little Jedi, wasn't he? And yes, as Adyashanti says, surrender is the name of the spiritual game. You have demonstrated this beautifully in your saga about Danny's health. Thanks, Martha.Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-43146879985715266812017-05-29T07:43:19.488-07:002017-05-29T07:43:19.488-07:00LeAnn, your description of allowing the spirit to ...LeAnn, your description of allowing the spirit to enlighten you is lovely. There might be variations in the concepts and vocabulary that we use to describe this surrender to the universal, the sacred, the Holy Spirit, or other terms, because the truth is beyond words and thinking. But in essence it is the same. Jesus taught that faith is the key. You have an abundance of faith that keeps you in harmony with the divine. Thanks for your comment. Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-34826422738419380372017-05-29T04:30:30.119-07:002017-05-29T04:30:30.119-07:00It is precisely about surrender in the moment, Gal...It is precisely about surrender in the moment, Galen. And Yoda is so right - There is no try!<br />Blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-62752407917627650392017-05-28T22:04:28.289-07:002017-05-28T22:04:28.289-07:00Wow, I will have to read this more than once, pond...Wow, I will have to read this more than once, ponder on it for a while and maybe then I will have a more than one thought on this one. Here is just one thought. I feel that enlightenment comes through the light of Christ that is given to all men. <br />This coninsides with many of my experiences when I ponder, pray and allow the spirit to enlighten me on truths that I am searching for. These are instant holy moments for me. <br />As always I love your posts! Hugs~<br />LeAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18107717294803352571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-46839060691385026602017-05-28T21:26:28.602-07:002017-05-28T21:26:28.602-07:00Thanks for sharing this, DJan. It's lovely. I&...Thanks for sharing this, DJan. It's lovely. I'm not familiar with "Buddhist Remembrances." Can you tell me more about them? Galen Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189831838630645863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598434020557723929.post-28051660953531326902017-05-28T19:38:24.434-07:002017-05-28T19:38:24.434-07:00My actions are the ground upon which I walk. The F...My actions are the ground upon which I walk. The Fifth Buddhist Remembrance.DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.com