Great post, love the humor! And we’re definitely riding the same wave of satchitananda or something, because this is a total synchronicity for me.
I’ve been starting to wonder where the line is after which I should stop reading audiobooks about Buddhism while walking, doing the dishes, showering, and simply start being present in those moments.
Theres got to be a point where I know enough about meditation and spirituality and I just, throughout my day, meditate and be spiritual, right?
Yes, this resonates with me so much! About a year ago, I stopped reading dharma books for exactly this reason. There's a point where, if you're honest, you realize you've just exchanged worldly entertainment for spiritual entertainment and it's still all the same shit 🤣
Now, I try only to pick up dharma books when I have a specific practice question or need a specific insight, and then I put it back down and return to practice.
That's easier said than done though, cuz marketing for meditation books shows up in my inbox literally EVERYDAY. Like "Wanna supercharge your practice? Read this awesome new book from [Almost Enlightened Being]! On sale now." It pushes all the right buttons for me. 😅😅😅
Do you do that thing where you’re reading a dharma book and you’re like “do I really want to follow this person’s advice? Are they actually speaking from experience or is this all intellectual?” and you’re trying to figure out whether they’ve had their satori (or whatever) or not so you don’t end up taking on guidance that will actually get you further from awakening…?
What do you read now? If you don’t mind me asking.
I used to do that a lot, haha. Now, I try only to read books by people I've actually practiced with IRL, so I can anchor what they're writing about in a more direct experienece. I read (and re-read ad nauseum) books by my personal teachers - like Alan Wallace and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche - and I'm editing/co-authoring some books with my root teacher Lama Lena, which is the best way to learn IMO. I feel a lot less scatterbrained about this kind of reading cuz it syncs up with my practice.
I also try, at least partially, to read books by our podcast guests before they come on the show, and I find my headspace to that kind of reading to be very different. There I'm mostly leisure reading, to get a flavor of someone else's journey, and less reading to learn something or to measure my own practice.
This topic is very much on the surface for me at the moment, I am still recovering from a brain tumour and subsequent surgeries and complications from last year and as soon as i was out from my surgeries i went back to work, in hindsight it was too soon.. but i realise i was just doing my best with info i had at the time.. but now i am healing, this specific topic is really coming up for me and the WHY around why i went straight back to work.. instead of choosing to heal. Thank fully i'm choosing that now. Appreciate you writing about this x
Ooof, i hear that. In 2020 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and my body went into total shutdown... but as soon as I was even a little bit regulated, I hopped right back into production mode like a goon, lol. Same as you - in hindsight it was too soon. The body/mind always demand rest from us eventually though. I'm glad you're leaning into the healing/resting now!!
I felt to this so much. Even now I’m eating breakfast and keep thinking just eat don’t look at your phone. But then I remembered this post and wanted to comment and say it resonates 😂 loved the bodhisavage hang last night even though I fell asleep for most of it. Thanks Tasha for the work you’re doing - may we all do less but do what we do well 😄
Not looking at your phone during meals is the realest 21st century struggle for sure 🤣 Thanks so much for coming last night! Falling asleep is a totally legit reaction to practice sometimes, IMO. I do it much more than I'd like to admit 😅
I loved this practice and theme—it's an ongoing struggle for me but one I'm embodying more and more. I appreciate having the opportunity to deepen into play and being.
So beautifully said. I wish I could be sitting next to you in one of those Muskoka chairs compulsively doing and then not doing and then compulsively doing and then not doing and also enjoying a fizzy beverage.
Great timing of the topic and the meditation was just what I needed. My busy family schedule rarely leaves and opening to join, but the stars aligned yesterday along with a fantastic full moon and for an hour anyway, all was right with my world...
One of my (not at all Buddhist) mentors used to say exactly this: "don't just do something; sit there" as a way to remind me to listen and reflect before I respond. That came up for me during the practice tonight, as I tried to catch all of the impulses in the act ;-) I need to spend some time with the idea of non-fabrication, and I would love another meditation/discussion of that. Thanks again!
Yes! Playing on the line between absolute not-doing and the most minimal of doings is the edge I love dancing on lately. Its such a balancing act! We can definitely dig into the non-fabrication part some more 🙏🏼 Thanks for the request!
I've been really focusing on letting myself rest and just be. Health problems have come up again, which has made it a bit easier, so I can't take all of the credit. 😉 Seriously though, it's amazing how having a congenital disease that can either leave me absolutely healthy one minute, then decide its bratty self needs some attention so threatens my life the next does a good job of helping me appreciate the little moments. 😊 I try to look at it like what would I tell a loved one (child, best friend, partner) to do? Would I say let yourself just be, or get back to work, bitch? Well, it just depends. 😂 I hope you don't mind that I sign up for the session (I really do love them so much!), but there is a good chance I won't be able to make it. I will do my best to be there, but don't wait for me. Sorry!
Totally agree - health problems are such good teachers. I have an auto-immune disease that's usually ok but when it rears it's ugly head, I really get forced into submission 😅
You'll be with us in spirit if you can't come tonight. Hope you're feeling better soon!!
Great post, love the humor! And we’re definitely riding the same wave of satchitananda or something, because this is a total synchronicity for me.
I’ve been starting to wonder where the line is after which I should stop reading audiobooks about Buddhism while walking, doing the dishes, showering, and simply start being present in those moments.
Theres got to be a point where I know enough about meditation and spirituality and I just, throughout my day, meditate and be spiritual, right?
Yes, this resonates with me so much! About a year ago, I stopped reading dharma books for exactly this reason. There's a point where, if you're honest, you realize you've just exchanged worldly entertainment for spiritual entertainment and it's still all the same shit 🤣
Now, I try only to pick up dharma books when I have a specific practice question or need a specific insight, and then I put it back down and return to practice.
That's easier said than done though, cuz marketing for meditation books shows up in my inbox literally EVERYDAY. Like "Wanna supercharge your practice? Read this awesome new book from [Almost Enlightened Being]! On sale now." It pushes all the right buttons for me. 😅😅😅
It’s the “[Almost Enlightened Being]” for me 😂
Do you do that thing where you’re reading a dharma book and you’re like “do I really want to follow this person’s advice? Are they actually speaking from experience or is this all intellectual?” and you’re trying to figure out whether they’ve had their satori (or whatever) or not so you don’t end up taking on guidance that will actually get you further from awakening…?
What do you read now? If you don’t mind me asking.
I used to do that a lot, haha. Now, I try only to read books by people I've actually practiced with IRL, so I can anchor what they're writing about in a more direct experienece. I read (and re-read ad nauseum) books by my personal teachers - like Alan Wallace and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche - and I'm editing/co-authoring some books with my root teacher Lama Lena, which is the best way to learn IMO. I feel a lot less scatterbrained about this kind of reading cuz it syncs up with my practice.
I also try, at least partially, to read books by our podcast guests before they come on the show, and I find my headspace to that kind of reading to be very different. There I'm mostly leisure reading, to get a flavor of someone else's journey, and less reading to learn something or to measure my own practice.
This topic is very much on the surface for me at the moment, I am still recovering from a brain tumour and subsequent surgeries and complications from last year and as soon as i was out from my surgeries i went back to work, in hindsight it was too soon.. but i realise i was just doing my best with info i had at the time.. but now i am healing, this specific topic is really coming up for me and the WHY around why i went straight back to work.. instead of choosing to heal. Thank fully i'm choosing that now. Appreciate you writing about this x
Ooof, i hear that. In 2020 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and my body went into total shutdown... but as soon as I was even a little bit regulated, I hopped right back into production mode like a goon, lol. Same as you - in hindsight it was too soon. The body/mind always demand rest from us eventually though. I'm glad you're leaning into the healing/resting now!!
I felt to this so much. Even now I’m eating breakfast and keep thinking just eat don’t look at your phone. But then I remembered this post and wanted to comment and say it resonates 😂 loved the bodhisavage hang last night even though I fell asleep for most of it. Thanks Tasha for the work you’re doing - may we all do less but do what we do well 😄
Not looking at your phone during meals is the realest 21st century struggle for sure 🤣 Thanks so much for coming last night! Falling asleep is a totally legit reaction to practice sometimes, IMO. I do it much more than I'd like to admit 😅
I loved this practice and theme—it's an ongoing struggle for me but one I'm embodying more and more. I appreciate having the opportunity to deepen into play and being.
Also, this title is great. :)
Also, selfishly, I love seeing your face on the zooms! 😍
So beautifully said. I wish I could be sitting next to you in one of those Muskoka chairs compulsively doing and then not doing and then compulsively doing and then not doing and also enjoying a fizzy beverage.
Great timing of the topic and the meditation was just what I needed. My busy family schedule rarely leaves and opening to join, but the stars aligned yesterday along with a fantastic full moon and for an hour anyway, all was right with my world...
Thanks so much for joining in last night!! I'm happy the stars/moon finally aligned 😅✨
One of my (not at all Buddhist) mentors used to say exactly this: "don't just do something; sit there" as a way to remind me to listen and reflect before I respond. That came up for me during the practice tonight, as I tried to catch all of the impulses in the act ;-) I need to spend some time with the idea of non-fabrication, and I would love another meditation/discussion of that. Thanks again!
Yes! Playing on the line between absolute not-doing and the most minimal of doings is the edge I love dancing on lately. Its such a balancing act! We can definitely dig into the non-fabrication part some more 🙏🏼 Thanks for the request!
"the most minimal of doings" is going to be my phrase of the day. That will be a good mantra for me during the Do Nothing sit tonight. :)
I've been really focusing on letting myself rest and just be. Health problems have come up again, which has made it a bit easier, so I can't take all of the credit. 😉 Seriously though, it's amazing how having a congenital disease that can either leave me absolutely healthy one minute, then decide its bratty self needs some attention so threatens my life the next does a good job of helping me appreciate the little moments. 😊 I try to look at it like what would I tell a loved one (child, best friend, partner) to do? Would I say let yourself just be, or get back to work, bitch? Well, it just depends. 😂 I hope you don't mind that I sign up for the session (I really do love them so much!), but there is a good chance I won't be able to make it. I will do my best to be there, but don't wait for me. Sorry!
Totally agree - health problems are such good teachers. I have an auto-immune disease that's usually ok but when it rears it's ugly head, I really get forced into submission 😅
You'll be with us in spirit if you can't come tonight. Hope you're feeling better soon!!