--- In [email protected], Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Jul 8, 2005, at 4:45 PM, sparaig wrote: > > > In other words, the TM technique, checking procedures, AND the > > experimental techniques to study the TM technique are quite > > consistent with the theory that MMY uses to explain TM, so even > > though you object to everything about TM, there's no contradiction or > > room for criticism from this perspective, no matter how much you wish > > there was. > > > > [yes, been getting enough sleep lately, and took an adderal on the > > weekend for the first time in months, so my thoughts are rather more > > coherent than usual, sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable] > > The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is that your post, as is > often the case, doesn't really relate to what I was talking about. The > original post was a comment on the style of self-sufficiency typical of > yogis and those initiated into lineal meditation systems. > Institutionalized "McMeditation" methods (in general) tend to foster > reliance on the org itself and/or sometimes a key charismatic figure. > As was mentioned previously on here, I am reminded of Robert Thurman's > advice on gurus--if you see that an org is filled with old, long- term > students 'run the other way as fast as you can'. It's not a good sign > if they are not creating independence, all the while preaching > "enlightenment". As he put it "there should be no old students". >
Which is why there's lots of old geezers sitting around in monastaries... I would say rather, if there are ONLY old students, there's a problem. That MAY be a valid criticism of the TMO, but of course, raising $3 million to build your own TM center isn't a 22-year-old's job, usually. > I do not object to checking, if you have read some of my previous posts > you should know that I feel checking is one of the best elements of the > TM path. Ultimately though we should possess methods and skillful means > for overcoming obstacles on our own (e.g. the recent conversation on > the widespread problem with TM/TMSP and torpor). That's solved by advice given countless times: meditate and engage in dynamic acivity --the more dynamic the better, as long as you don't strain. Of course, "strain" can be taken as meaning "I don't feel like gettingout of bed because its such an effort to move," but there is such a thing as self-indulgent laziness (or clinical depression, but that's generally a medical condition of some sort). > > Are you seriously on Adderal? Why the need for speed? Hasn't your > ability to concentrate improved with your meditation practice? Indeed it has and does. However, a few years back, I decided to try to work on a programming project out of my house and didn't notice the mold infestation in my closet. After 3 years of living in what was essentially a moldy cave, my nervous system became so messed up that I gained 50 lbs, lost the ability to count to ten mentally without getting lost, and couldn't remember if I had locked my door or not even though I had checked it 10x in a row (leading to a semi- misdiagnosis of OCD). All the relatively minor things I had mostly under control with meditation were exacerbated to the point of ludicrousness (except it's real and not a cliche). TM is great, but CNS damage often requires medical intervention, at least in the short run. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
