When starting a daily practice ( or before) we become more aware of blockages built up during life. Felt in the body and/or emotional. This could be confronting, not easy to handle. To have a prayer or affirmation like Bodhi mentioned for those moments is useful.
To ‘sit’ in awareness with the emotions, to ‘embrace’ the emotions is the way to let them go, this is not an overnight happening. It becomes possible to transform the feelings of guilt into love for ourselves. It takes time and daily practice. We become literally lighter.
Hi Charliedog,
I think Bodhi wrote that as a comfort to me. Some of us(me) can not maintain awareness during these emotions. Yes, it’s a long process from one perspective, but when you are really present, I just don’t see blockages or any need to change anything. Does this make sense?
Hi Lalow,
Yes this makes sense, for me a prayer has helped me in times where I was more in the emotional states and not aware of how it works in me.
If we can be aware in the present moment all is at it is, pure and clear, still I love to use a prayer after my practice and maybe it can be useful to someone else too.
I can relate Lalow. Few years back when I was going through the highs and lows. I would notice this pattern. Some days/weeks I was soaring high light as a feather and then other days dense and heavy.
During the dense and heavy days, I would chant mantras to get through.
With continued practice, the need to chant mantras have diminished. As the presence has increased, the space to just be with whatever is coming up has become available.
I’m not perfect but there is progress.
This makes my night. Deep, humorous resonance and laughter here in the north Georgia mountains (I’m up here staying with my grandparents for a short vacation). Thank you, Lalow.
When I push too hard on the accelerator, I’m Fuzzy McFuzzington. @JR
Keep on truckin’, bro. Persistence and consistency pay off. Just like Sunyata and Charliedog said.
I’ll quote the rough but lovable poet Charles Bukowski:
“I’m not in a contest with anybody, have no thoughts about immortality, don’t give a damn about it. It’s the ACTION while you’re alive. The gate springing open in the sunlight, the horses plunging through the light, all the jocks, brave little devils in their bright silks, going for it, doing it. The glory is in the motion and the dare. Death be damned. It’s today and today and today. Yes.” —Charles Bukowski
(Now apply that quote to stillness in action. )
Versatility. Resilience. Endurance. [OM]
Bodhi,
I try, I really do. The song that really resonates with me is topguns through the fire and when things get hotter I really want to quit. But, knowing I can’t drives me nuts. Just like yesterday work went past were I normally meditate and I was starting not to feel good so I stopped and meditated. Felt better almost instantly after I got done meditating.
It takes time and daily practice. We become literally lighter.
This makes my night. Deep, humorous resonance and laughter here in the north Georgia mountains (I’m up here staying with my grandparents for a short vacation). Thank you, Lalow.
)