"Cure" is probably not the right word. I know it's not really a cure, and I see
it as an add-on to my other therapy.
However, my Western mind keeps seeing "letting go" as "giving up," not acting
as letting bad things have the potential of happening. Is there any way around
this impediment?
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Bill!" <billsm...@...> wrote:
>
> Wookielifeday,
>
> You asked several things below and I've embedded my responses in your post.
>
> --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Dave P" <wookielifeday@> wrote:
> >
> > I haven't been on here for a long time, and I apologize for just barging in
> > with a new topic, but I'm having a hard time with the concept of
> > mindfulness.
> >
> [Bill!] On this forum there is no such thing as 'barging in'. It's your
> forum as much as anyone's.
>
> > I have been suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for a long
> > time, and lately it has gotten worse. I don't want to get into details
> > here, but it revolves around both ethical and health choices in diet and
> > just living.
> >
> > What I don't understand is how mindfulness can help, because to my mind
> > (pardon the pun) mindfulness means paying attention to everything, and if
> > anything OCD people pay too much attention. I worry about everything, and
> > intellectually I can understand just observing my emotions, but there is
> > the constant feeling that I MUST DO SOMETHING, that if I don't do things
> > right I will die. Hence I'm much more vigilant.
> >
> > Am I getting the whole concept of mindfulness wrong? Is there anything I
> > can read that could help me with this?
> >
> [Bill!] You don't have the concept of 'mindfulness' wrong. 'Mindfulness' is
> as you said "...paying attention to everything."
>
> But what is 'everything'? In the sense of zen 'mindfulness', 'everything' is
> just what is before you at this moment and is revealed to you through your
> senses. 'Everything' is NOT memories of yesterday or projections of
> tomorrow. Only now. 'Everything' is also not discursive thought or
> valuations or classifications. 'Everything' is Just THIS and Just NOW.
>
> Also zen 'mindfulness' does not include attachemnts. There are no
> attachments to 'mindfulness'. Things come and they go. There is no attempt
> to 'own' them or control them, or keep them from going.
>
> But most importantly, and although I am not a medical doctor, I do not think
> even zen 'mindfulness' will help 'cure' OCD. The best case is that zen could
> help you cope with OCD, accept it as your reality, understand the affect it
> has on you and learn to love your life and it's uniqueness.
>
> What could you read to help you with this? I could recommend any number of
> zen-related books, Buddhist Sutras, Tao Te Ching, Christian Bible especially
> the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus, Walden Pond by Emerson, etc...
> There are many.
>
> BUT more effective than reading is to do zen (or Chan) meditation (zazen);
> and there are many books and internet help sites that could get you started
> on that. HOWEVER, my best advice for you is to find a zen teacher in your
> area and meet with him/her. They would have the best chance to suggest a
> path that would be best for you.
>
> Good luck...Bill!
>
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