Lay Buddhism is tough in the city! (mystic, Revelation, experience)

[Scarlett Wampus]

Without being a member of an experienced monastic community or having a lot of time to meditate without disturbance, its quite a struggle to maintain practice. At least, I've found it to be so.

I had something of a revelation: With all the potential aversions and cravings that an average working day will stimulate in the mind, going it alone close to the heart of the rat race is both the best and the worst place I've ever found myself in to confront the business of pacifying the mind. Deadlines, romance, bills, entertainment, study, family, dehumanising bureaucracy, career development, politics, inane consumerism, oh my! Its all so crazy - truly, utterly insane.

I don't know how others here who work full time in "offices" find it but it seems to me an enormous challenge to turn lives of quiet desperation into lives of quiet contemplation in such circumstances.

[Somkid]

It is a difficult position to be in and I'm sure the UK is as crazy as the USA at least what I have observed as a tourist. In any event you need to set time aside for yourself and find a quite place I know that is often difficult but take a day in the country or by a lake if possible and use the time to reflect. Have you checked if there are any temples close to you? I have always found in a pinch that Hindu temples work well and the people are very opened to Buddhists.

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by Somkid

It is a difficult position to be in and I'm sure the UK is as crazy as the USA at least what I have observed as a tourist. In any event you need to set time aside for yourself and find a quite place I know that is often difficult but take a day in the country or by a lake if possible and use the time to reflect. Have you checked if there are any temples close to you? I have always found in a pinch that Hindu temples work well and the people are very opened to Buddhists.

I haven't checked in a while, but there really isn't much time to stray away from the circuit between home and work. I have to take what I can get when I can get it. Oddly, this is forcing me by default to try to meditate as much as possible and bring mindfulness to bear on everything I can. Before I could commit to that in earnest I had to let go of constant melancholic yearnings for pasts and futures where I'd have nothing to do. The discomfort I'm having now is worse but I guess that's progress.

[koan]

I have practiced mainly by myself for many years now. My room fronts the street and traffic tended to hinder my meditation practice. It took awhile, but I began to wake up earlier and meditate in the mornings. Also I only began with 10mins and expanded this as I was able. The advantages and disadvantages of Lay practice in a city are: Advantages; Noise, work and living generally, help teach one to let go. Disavantages; Noise, work and living generally help to distract one from practicing. So it actually comes down to just one thing, Perserverance.
Also, remember, most lay practioners have been through the same conditions. If they can do it, so can you.

[MysticSang'ha]

Actually, Scarlett.....sounds to me that you're doing quite well.

That you are continually mindful of your emotions, your circumstances, your obstacles, and your perserverence (as koan said ), you are truly practicing. And that's a very good thing!




Peace,
Mystic

[vandervalley]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Without being a member of an experienced monastic community or having a lot of time to meditate without disturbance, its quite a struggle to maintain practice. At least, I've found it to be so.

I had something of a revelation: With all the potential aversions and cravings that an average working day will stimulate in the mind, going it alone close to the heart of the rat race is both the best and the worst place I've ever found myself in to confront the business of pacifying the mind. Deadlines, romance, bills, entertainment, study, family, dehumanising bureaucracy, career development, politics, inane consumerism, oh my! Its all so crazy - truly, utterly insane.

I don't know how others here who work full time in "offices" find it but it seems to me an enormous challenge to turn lives of quiet desperation into lives of quiet contemplation in such circumstances.

Well at least you know what to do when you retire...

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by koan

I have practiced mainly by myself for many years now. My room fronts the street and traffic tended to hinder my meditation practice. It took awhile, but I began to wake up earlier and meditate in the mornings. Also I only began with 10mins and expanded this as I was able. The advantages and disadvantages of Lay practice in a city are: Advantages; Noise, work and living generally, help teach one to let go. Disavantages; Noise, work and living generally help to distract one from practicing. So it actually comes down to just one thing, Perserverance.
Also, remember, most lay practioners have been through the same conditions. If they can do it, so can you.

Yes they have, and you do too.

Its whining. Part of me was secretly hoping someone would say, "Oh! You can't possibly practise in those conditions!" But I can. That I find it difficult is no bad thing I just hate to admit it sometimes.

I read out a short statement of my personal understanding each morning: "Meditative discipline is the root practice of all Zen mental conditioning and all Zen mental conditioning is about pacifying the mind from responding automatically to aversions and cravings. This is the Zen technique of liberating the mind from becoming trapped in vicious circles." It may not be that insightful or as far as I know a correct understanding of Zen practice (suggested modification are welcome). I do find it helpful though because it suggests its not a comfortable situation I need, its to persist no matter what. That you've highlighted perseverance strikes a helpful chord.

[zenzero]

Friends,
One has having set the goal of nirvana [now cannot say that as one is born in a nirvanic state, it is only realising that]
However like most friends here live in a small city and being a bachelor stay with a freinds family like any other family but find no problem as meditation is all about wakefullness. Practice wakefulness all the time whatever be the condition, circumstances, environment; none can take away from one being wakefull?
That is all what DHYANA or ZEN means - being wakefull all the time.
Yes, it is also true that have deep unconcious layers which have to be brought under the light of conciousness and working all the time towards unravalleing all those layers by taking the light to remove those darkness around them.
Most imporatnatly, enjoy all the moment, when when the body falls off to sleep after some wakefullness when it can take no more, sometimes 40 winks, sometimes a nap, sometimes short sleep and others deep sleep. In between the wakefulness and deep sleep is the whole Maya / illusion.
Love & rgds