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randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#377: Apr 29th 2011 at 8:54:13 PM

As am I, but I still realize that hurting myself certain ways isn't a good thing...

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#378: Apr 29th 2011 at 8:55:54 PM

Well, your advice hasn't steerd me wrong so far. I guess I'll just meditate normally until I can afford to sign up for a yoga class or something.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#379: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:03:28 PM

SLOW STEPS MUST BE MADE FOR STRETCHING.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#380: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:09:08 PM

Ahh! Y-yes master! Or, uh, sensei, or whatever I'm supposed to call you.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#381: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:10:57 PM

...just call me Aondeug? Unless you want to call me some title I guess...

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#382: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:15:11 PM

Oh, okay then Aon. I guess I'll get on those practice stretches now...

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#383: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:15:41 PM

'k

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#384: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:17:47 PM

K. Speaking of K, this is totally off-topic, but she told me you're one of her best friends on this website.

Tzetze DUMB from a converted church in Venice, Italy Since: Jan, 2001
Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#387: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:26:49 PM

Me?

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#388: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:28:20 PM

Yes, you! -sigh- The work I have to do to help somebody deliver a compliment.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#389: Apr 29th 2011 at 9:29:54 PM

Oh. Well. Huh...

...thank you, KCK.

edited 29th Apr '11 9:30:02 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#390: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:34:10 PM

Ok then! Dhamma talk sharing time!

The talk for the morning half was about worry and fear. Specifically worry and fear of death and the unknown. The Achaan told a story about a teacher and his students. He first taught his students to walk. They would do walking meditation for long periods of time and after a month or two the teacher gave them a new task. He told them to walk across a bridge that stretched over a misty pit. No one could see what was in the pit because of the heavy mists. Some of the students theorized that there might be animals that would eat you or that the pit might go on forever more. The students were terrified and walked very slowly across the bridge. They continued even after one fell. It was later discovered by the students that below the pit was a lake and that the lake wasn't very far down. The student who fell was alive and well. From that time onward the students could walk across the bridge full of confidence.

These sorts of story are very common in Buddhism to show examples of how life works according to Buddhism. In this case we see that living beings are afraid of the unknown. They do not know what it is and it can result in death which is a great fear for most living beings. However death is a certainty. We will all die eventually whether or not we go about life cautiously or recklessly. You will die.

The lesson here is to remember that fact and to never let your worries take control of you. Sure you shouldn't be careless, but you shouldn't be immobilized by fear or worry. You should walk on and search and learn and live. You might learn that whatever you were afraid of wasn't really a problem at all. Like the students in the story!

The Achaan gave an additional talk about people being saddened by death. Death as we have established is a certainty. It is a fact of life and it is not one that will change. Therefore separation with loved ones will happen whether or not you want it. You should not hate your relatives. You should treat them with love and kindness, but you must also remember that one day you will be parted from them. Grieving doesn't fix problems. You will probably feel sad and that's ok, but do not let it consume you. Live.

For the afternoon session we had a talk about the life of Bhikkhu. In Thailand one can become a Bhikkhu at the age 20. They take on the 227 rules of the Bhikkhu. Before then one came become a novice monk and take on the 10 Precepts. One can take up the life of the Bhikkhu and abandon when they feel it is appropriate to do so. You can disrobe without shame (at least this is how things are supposed to be). The Bhikkhu get up at 4 in the morning. They shower and then get together to chant at 4:30. This chanting lasts for an hour. Then the Bhikkhu go out and do chores and talk and meditate. They have a meal sometime in the morning at around 7:00. They then continue with their chores and meditation and study. Time is taken out of their schedule for things like marriage ceremonies and the meditation classes of course. They have lunch at 12. This is their last meal for the day. They cannot eat anything until the next morning. They can however drink tea or water. The Bhikkhu sleep at 10:00 PM.

Now this morning session we had yoga. Apparently the yoga is supposed to be a regular thing but the woman who leads it hadn't been there for the other three classes I've been to. Yoga is...difficult. It's quite depressing how stiff my muscles are... I will need to fix that. THERE ARE OLD WOMEN MORE FLEXIBLE THAN ME.

News about Visakha Puja...It's on the 17th but the wat will be holding services on the 15th which is a Sunday. I will be attending said services as well as help set up the day before.

edited 30th Apr '11 4:35:27 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#391: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:51:02 PM

Wow, that was quite a story Aon! So then, I need to stop letting my fear of going to hell one day control what I do in life. That's what I got from it, at least. I probably should start practicing yoga myself, I'm still determined to manage to do the FULL LOTUS POSITION one day.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#392: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:52:40 PM

Indeed! WE WILL ACHIEVE IT AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
Tzetze DUMB from a converted church in Venice, Italy Since: Jan, 2001
Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#394: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:55:51 PM

Oh yes that is something else I did today! I dislocated part of my foot during meditation while shifting my position. I have learned how to consistently do this just because I was curious if it would happen every time I moved like that! AND LO AND BEHOLD IT DID.

edited 30th Apr '11 4:56:02 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#395: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:56:46 PM

If I manage to save up enough money for that medieval torture rack, I promise to let you use it too so we can both learn to do it.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#396: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:57:57 PM

...I will stretch on my own.

AND DISLOCATE MY FOOT ON PURPOSE WHEN I AM SUPPOSED TO BE MEDITATING.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#397: Apr 30th 2011 at 4:59:27 PM

That's some serious skill Aon, I can only dislocated my shoulder. Huh, I wonder if I should try dislocating my foot, but I'm worried it might not go back on correctly.

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#398: Apr 30th 2011 at 5:01:41 PM

I know how to dislocate my knees too. I try to avoid that...The fuckers have been doing that since I was like...9? STOP IT KNEES. STAY IN PLACE YOU CUNTS.

I have also dislocated my pinky toe because I ran into the tv stand while running to turn off the stove.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#399: Apr 30th 2011 at 5:09:41 PM

Holy crap! Are you an android or something? And I thought I was special for being able to partially dislocate my knees and shoulders...

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#400: Apr 30th 2011 at 5:11:13 PM

No I'm just an unlucky bitch whose knees and feet don't like staying in place. THE BASTARDS.

And it hurts...

...

;_;

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

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