Kristy, Maybe both certainty and uncertainty are expressions of ego. In my case, just like Dave's, I am bothered by uncertainty associated with profit and loss. But after a good zazen session, when dualistic thinking is weaker, I feel more certain. Different people experience different aspects in the land of the rising yen. After all, they are hardworking. If you arrive in Europe or the USA on Friday afternoon and want to talk business, the best counteroffer you obtain is an invitation to a restaurant or a gold club. But in Japan, considering you have come a long way, they don't mind talking business on Sunday. But that was ten years ago. I hope they stay the same right now, though most people there realized their prime time is over. Anthony
--- On Thu, 13/1/11, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: So what should I do? To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, 13 January, 2011, 9:59 AM Hi Anthony!:) Very curious! I just checked in to read here, and wanted to add a comment to this.. I actually feel the opposite is true for me.. Certainty-- in my experience , indicates a presense of ego. That need to feel " right:, or "sure" that such a thing, thought, or experience is correct. Hope all is well with you.. I'm learning about Japan-- a wonderful place to be! *bows*.. K --- On Wed, 1/12/11, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: So what should I do? To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 5:13 PM Dave, Don't take uncertainty lightly. It is a difficult problem. I have uncertainty too. Though I understand it is, at least in part. caused by a strong ego, I cannot overcome ego either. So lets work together. Anthony --- On Thu, 13/1/11, Dave P <[email protected]> wrote: From: Dave P <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] Re: So what should I do? To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, 13 January, 2011, 6:47 AM I understand where you're coming from, but for me the problem is contamination. Since everyone has a desire to be healthy, I don't know what's a healthy way of avoiding contamination and what's an unhealthy way. How do you deal with the uncertainty? --- In [email protected], "SteveW" <eugnostos2000@...> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], "Dave P" <wookielifeday@> wrote: > > > > I've been trying to keep up with the zazen, mostly with success, and > > keeping up with the mindfulness, but I still have the nagging question that > > troubles my OCD: > > > > What do I do when, in order to confront my OCD, I must do something that > > feels "wrong," that feels like I'm endangering myself? > > > > I know you're not experts on OCD, but you must have had some experience > > with a fear that seemed completely rational. It is, of course, the > > uncertainty that hurts the most. Any suggestions? > > > Hi Dave. When I was younger, I was troubled by obssesive checking behavior. I > have found that, for me, it is a matter of just being mindful of the anxiety, > as it arises, without either trying to run away from it or run toward it. And > then I choose to do something else that is unrelated in order to redirect my > attention. In my case, I enjoy karate, so I would go work on a kata, or form > exercise. But any activity that you enjoy will do. The OCD is just a glitch > in your amygdala brain center. Just be mindful of it, label it as just a > glitch that is not really "you", and then redirect your attention to > something else. Worked for me. > Steve >
