Interesting stuff, Fudo. So when you first sat without counting breaths, or dismissing thoughts as they arise, didn't you just sit around daydreaming all day? I suspect that's what I would do... perhaps if allowed to daydream for hours/days/years maybe it would go away -- i have my doubts though, given that my daydreams are so decadent. Thus it seems that letting extra ideas/daydreams go, is the idea that leads me to sit.
I rarely slow the thoughts in my head -- the constant narration -- for more than a few seconds. I can extend that with meditation. I suspect the more I am meditating, the more often and further I extend the pauses when not meditating. Its not that my "ego" wants to stop them so I am "a robe-wearin' Jedi master" (though it might be fun) -- nor to reach an idea/explanation of things (ding-dong the witch is dead). Its not even so I can stop having ideas in general (THAT seems like a silly idea, too). It is that through some disillusionment, many ideas lead quickly to the idea that I needn't have an idea about it - then the idea goes away on its own. However, a few seconds later, I realize afresh that I needn't have an idea about THAT either. Then I eventually ask myself, "why all this thinking, if even the thinking doesn't want to think," I answer "it is habit." I then have the idea I should diminish that habit because it seems to be a source of discomfort. And thus the the idea of "needing to sit more in order to stop extra ideas" gains reinforcement. If I ever ask, "what should I REALLY be doing now" -- it occurs to me that because I asked the question, I should probably be just sitting. If I ask, "should i be asking the idea right now or not of what should I REALLY be doing now" it occurs to me that I should definitely be just sitting. When the moments and day comes where I don't wonder if I'm doing the right thing/thinking the right amount/too distracted / not focused / etc. then it probably won't occur to me to sit. In those moments and on that day then I suspect I will leave the raft behind not giving it a thought. Any advice, Fudo, and others? Rod Scholl ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/hjtSRD/3MnJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> 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/
