Yes - boredom is a sign of something important, maybe. Good to here your
real experience.
E
> From: "Marc Brookhuis" <brookhuis1@zonnet.nl>
> Reply-To: moq_discuss@moq.org
> Date: Tue, 8 May 2001 20:47:51 +0200
> To: <moq_discuss@moq.org>
> Subject: RE: MD RE: What Its Like to be Enlightened
>
> After long-time lurking, just a quick response.
>
> Maybe there's a big difference between being aware, really high into the
> moment like skiing or motorcycling. (which in my opinion is also a
> Zen.thing. "When you do something, do it well') and being enlightend.
>
> Enlightenment to me means behaviour which is ego-free. In all aspects. Like
> holden your anger for a few seconds or even longer when you are really
> pissed.
>
> At least that's what my Zenteaching tells me. I also did some meditatition
> training in Thailand in march this year. One of the main characteristics of
> these programs is they don't really allow you to step away from the hard
> schedule, by having some time to fill in for yourself. That's the main
> thing. In doing boring, long exercises like meditation you get a closer look
> at yourself and your motives. Which again gives you the basics for being
> enlightend.
>
> Marc
>
>
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk
> [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]Namens Gary Charpentier
> Verzonden: dinsdag 8 mei 2001 16:35
> Aan: moq_discuss@moq.org
> Onderwerp: MD RE: What Its Like to be Enlightened
>
> Sorry Daniel, but I strongly disagree. Way too much ego going on here.
>
> I have experienced this "oneness" you talk about while roadracing
> motorcycles, but the activity itself does nobody any real good, and uses up
> vast amounts of my personal resources in the process. I love the "rush" I
> get while turning a good lap or executing a clean pass, but it is exactly
> like a drug in that, when it's over, all I can think about is the next race
> (...the next "high"). I certainly wouldn't call that Enlightenment.
>
> Singular activities always carry analogues for Life, simply because Life
> itself is made up of all these singular activities.
> Golfers (...and I am one.)are known for constantly analogizing, ad nauseum,
> the trials and tribulations of chasing a ball around a large field in order
> to hit it with a stick; to all of the risk/reward situations in Life.
>
> But, what I think you are saying is that it is possible to become an expert
> at Life. This is the enlightenment of which you speak. In our Western
> culture, becoming such an expert would mean being wealthy, because money
> buys the freedom to pursue happiness. But, when all this effort is focused
> inward, you are ultimately left in a world of one, which has got to be a
> very lonely place. When your efforts are focused outward instead, you find
> yourself one with the world, in all it's imperfect glory, but the
> loneliness, guilt, desire and greed are gone. This is a very peaceful place,
> and it seems to be the ultimate goal of most spiritual pursuits.
>
> Now, maybe I've misunderstood you. It would help when referencing your own
> writings if you provided a link to them. I will gladly read your essay. I am
> not judging here, but I am reacting to something I see as dangerously
> self-centered. My language is frank and direct, and if it offends you, I
> apologize.
>
> Peace,
> =GC=
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk
>> [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]On Behalf Of Daniel Colonnese
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 8:18 AM
>> To: moq_discuss@moq.org
>> Subject: MD: What Its Like to be Enlightened
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Being enlightened is kind of like going downhill skiing.
>> It's fun, if
>> you are an expert downhill skier that is. When you are really good at
>> downhill skiing, it's not the least bit scary. You have confidence. You
>> don't hesitate. Without thinking about it, you constantly ask
>> yourself--when's a good time to turn? Now. Now's a good time to
>> turn. And
>> you turn. No hesitation. If skiing is life, then turning (or
>> carving) is
>> making changes in your life. You have to pay attention when your
>> going down
>> the slope, you have to realize that no one is in control except you. You
>> have to constantly do stuff or you'll end up with a mouth full of ice.
>>
>> Enlightenment isn't an achievement. You can't simply hang
>> it on your
>> wall next to your college diploma. Enlightenment is a skill,
>> like downhill
>> skiing is a skill. Skiing is the skill of sliding around, wearing some
>> plastic in the snow. Enlightenment is the skill of living life with an
>> optimistic outlook, daily happiness, and peace of mind. Some
>> docile folk go
>> up and down the bunny slope all day and never look beyond the first hill
>> they see. Other people undertake increasing challenges, practice, and
>> improve their skills. Some lunatics just throw themselves off
>> the tallest
>> hill they can find.
>> When you're skiing (enlightened) you see the dynamic quality of
>> life. You
>> see the world rushing by you, and you're part of it. Your not
>> just watching
>> someone else ski or driving up the mountain in your car-you are in the
>> scene. You feel like every second counts. You watch people fall
>> down and
>> realize that falling is a real possibility. You too could wipe
>> out if you
>> weren't paying close attention. After you've been enlightened, I mean
>> skiing for a while it becomes kind of routine. You are humble,
>> because you
>> have fallen down enough to honestly appraise the extent and
>> limits of your
>> skills. You don't look down upon beginning or intermediate
>> skiers because
>> you had to learn too. In fact, you feel a certain kinship with
>> everyone on
>> the slope.
>>
>> After you've been skiing for a while, you can begin to put
>> your success
>> and failures in perspective. When an expert skier falls, he
>> usually falls
>> hard. And when you're going over difficult terrain, you realize how the
>> subtle balance of your form, the minute movements, and your attitude all
>> must stay in perfect harmony. You wake up happy every day
>> looking forward
>> to finding that balance. Your blood flows quickly, your
>> adrenaline is on,
>> everything is brighter and somehow more real. And you feel as
>> though you've
>> earned it.
>>
>> When's a good time to turn? Now's a good time to turn.
>> When's a good
>> time to turn? Now. Now's a good time to turn. You'll find a
>> rhythm, your
>> pace. Life or skiing, when done right, has a kind of musical
>> quality. When
>> you are an expert skier, you can go down the same hill again and
>> again, and
>> no two runs are the same. You recognize that every moment of
>> your life is
>> unique-that it will never be quite like this again. And the
>> subtleties of
>> the terrain and the precision of your skills have a kind of harmony. You
>> make the scene more beautiful, provide a model for others. Now being
>> enlightened is a lot more fun than downhill skiing, but both are worthy
>> pursuits. The point is to find something and get good at it. Find
>> something that interests you and give it your all. I suggest life.
>>
>> For information on enlightened please read my essay, "How to Become
>> Enlightened."
>>
>>
>>
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