RickyFitts

Oh wowwww, what an amazing picture. ?????

It's something I struggled with quite a lot when practising breath meditation - I tried different techniques, but in the end I found it was best to approach it in terms of simply allowing the body to breathe, rather than forcing it to breathe in some particular way that just made me feel more anxious and neurotic (what worked best for me with regards to meditation specifically was to focus on simply keeping my body relaxed and still, then the breath would simply happen). Just in general I think it's very beneficial to listen to your body more, and to let your body take the lead, so to speak.

Another one that came up on my Youtube recommendations just now, which I think is really good:

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@RMQualtrough Exactly what I was thinking.??? Didn't know he'd done videos. I'm curious now though, I might have to ferret them out just to see what he's like.

Many thanks for your efforts, Leo, I can only imagine what a giant ball-ache this must have been for you. All so true, nicely said. I know I found that with my meditation practice, for example, I'd take a break every now and then and I'd have a new appreciation for the practice when I took it back up.

On the one hand we're led to believe that we're everything, the whole universe, and on the other we're led to believe that we're NOT the body and mind - this is clearly a contradiction in terms, because body and mind are part of the manifestation, too. It seems to me that you very much ARE the body and mind, it's just that you're not JUST body and mind.

I was thinking about this the other day, funnily enough, wondering what it is exactly about music that can have such a profound effect on us. It's something that's definitely been a big part of my awakening journey I'd say, certain songs helped to open me up emotionally - most notably 'Soma' by the Smashing Pumpkins, which put me in touch with the deep loneliness I felt, and 'Codex' by Radiohead. As soon as you said 'second guitar solo', I knew what it was. Interesting Freudian slip there. I know exactly what you mean about swimming in the melancholy and hurt though, that's been hugely cathartic for me in past - when you completely surrender to that feeling, you understand the beauty of sorrow.

@Preety_India

'The Unbelievable Happiness of What Is' by Jon Bernie is excellent, in my opinion, you might find that one useful.

I thought this guided meditation was fantastic, I feel like this is the essence of meditation:

@LoseYourvelf Great choice, I love Kate Bush! ? I particularly love her 'Sensual World' album, especially 'The Fog':

Here's an interesting synchronicity - 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' was apparently written in response to 'Love Will Keep Us Together' by the Captain and Tennille, and the latter song was referenced in an old episode of 'Frasier' that I was watching this morning. I feel like the universe is sending me some seriously mixed messages. ?

Maybe it's an avoidance strategy. I think most of us just can't bear to be truly alone with ourselves, so we constantly look to distract ourselves if we're at a loose end.

@Eternal Unity Dude's a machine on clay, he's unreal.

Disappointing final, I was hoping it'd be a good contest but Swiatek was way too strong for Gauff. Fair play to her though, she's been relentless this year - 35 wins in a row, that's seriously impressive.

It's such a scathing review that I'm tempted to check it out, just to see if it really is as hard to decipher as you suggest it is. Doubt I'd make it through a paragraph though.

Poor guy, horrible way to go out. He was giving Nadal a real game too, from what I saw, it was shaping up to be a really good match. I hope Ruud goes on to win it now. Partly because it would be nice to see a Norwegian win a Slam (don't think they've ever won one, though I might be wrong), also partly because I'm just seriously bored of seeing Nadal absolutely dominate this frickin' tournament. I can't see it though, I think Rafa's going to be a bit too strong for him. Women's final today, I've no strong feelings either way but it could be a very interesting match.

You said you're trying to distract yourself - inquire into what it is that you're trying to distract yourself from. Notice any emotions that might be lurking within you, whether it's anger, fear, grief, or whatever it may be.

'If as a culture, as a species, we continue to dwell in a divided state of consciousness, no matter what we change on the outside, we will continue to manifest division. But each of us who comes into the natural, simple, undivided state is making a contribution to all beings - without trying, without taking any credit, without even knowing it. When you become undivided in your own consciousness, you become part of the manifestation of unity.' - Adyashanti 'The state of consciousness that a great majority of humanity is in isn't natural. It's altered. We do not need to go looking for altered states of consciousness; humanity is already in an altered state of consciousness called separation. Separation is the ultimate altered state of consciousness.' - Adyashanti 'Be aware of your habits of struggle, of trying to control your experience, but at the same time don't reject or repress those habits. Don't worry about trying to fix them or get rid of them. What frees us is not stopping the struggle, but rather our willingness to allow the struggle.' - Jon Bernie

I don't find either word particularly helpful at this point - 'God', 'Being', the words have lost all meaning for me at this point. I feel like it would be more helpful to meditate on the question, 'Who am I?', rather than try to slap a label on it. To truly know your true nature is to consciously be your true nature. 'Do nothing' meditation is an excellent practice in that regard, I'd say, keep that up and see how you go on.