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Mushin
Sept 14, 2019 12:50:06 GMT -5
Post by stardustpilgrim on Sept 14, 2019 12:50:06 GMT -5
This is quite an interesting little book, Mushin A Right-Brain State of Awareness that is the Artist within the Martial Artist by Dr. Ernst Vaughn Arnold, 2015, 84 pages, succinct. Arnold says as far as he knows there is not other book like it. He makes the case that Mushin is a ~property~ of the right hemisphere of the brain, "is a state of right-brain consciousness". Arnold is a martial artist and discusses Bodhidharma, Miyamoto Musashi, Gichin Funakoshi, Masutatsu Oyama and Bruce Lee. He goes into the physiology of the right brain, explaining the experience of the five above, and ways to achieve the state without spending ten years looking at a cave wall. As discussed many times here, the key is silencing the left-brain. He says this is the purpose of koans, to give the left brain a paradox it cannot solve, so it will eventually shut up and let the silent right brain step up. But basically, he says any art is a pathway into the right brain, and Mushin. He discusses somewhat the most excellent book by Betty Edwards, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Three methods he discusses, 1: performing kata, 2: Developing the eye of the artist, 3: A Zen technique, an you will become one with stone (this is kind of like/pretty much like "Pouring Concrete", a physical activity, interacting with objects, which requires total focus. The author likes to build with stone). I would say it is quite worthwhile for anyone to read. www.amazon.com/Mushin-Right-Brain-Awareness-Artist-Martial/dp/1505810655/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Mushin+Arnold&qid=1568484080&s=books&sr=1-1
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Mushin
Sept 22, 2019 10:32:48 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 10:32:48 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts?
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Post by satchitananda on Sept 22, 2019 10:44:04 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? Why do you think there is a tendency to want to stop it?
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Mushin
Sept 22, 2019 11:10:25 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 11:10:25 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? Why do you think there is a tendency to want to stop it? Weariness.
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Post by satchitananda on Sept 22, 2019 11:38:32 GMT -5
Why do you think there is a tendency to want to stop it? Weariness. Positive thoughts and feelings are making you weary.
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Post by laughter on Sept 22, 2019 12:13:05 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? This is exactly what the idea of becoming conscious of the content and dynamic of your mind is referring to. Albert Low wrote "arouse the mind without resting it anywhere". He said he got it from the Diamond Sutra. To me, Low describes a state where there is neither the negative thoughts arising nor the positive compensation, but yet, you are lucid and alert.
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Mushin
Sept 22, 2019 13:39:11 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 13:39:11 GMT -5
Positive thoughts and feelings are making you weary. The positive to compensate for negative. The back and forth.
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Mushin
Sept 22, 2019 14:34:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by stardustpilgrim on Sept 22, 2019 14:34:10 GMT -5
Positive thoughts and feelings are making you weary. The positive to compensate for negative. The back and forth. But one can get above/beyond, supersede both. This is the meaning of the beginning of Chapter 20 Tao Te Ching.
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Post by stardustpilgrim on Sept 22, 2019 14:41:31 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? Yes, this is the right approach. You can Judo/Aikido the thoughts, not resist with equal energy. Resistence adds energy, ego loves a good fight, invites the energy to perpetuate itself, mostly even doing so unconsciously. The thought patterns only job is to perpetuate itself. Yes, just observe.
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Post by laughter on Sept 22, 2019 17:00:17 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? Yes, this is the right approach. You can Judo/Aikido the thoughts, not resist with equal energy. Resistence adds energy, ego loves a good fight, invites the energy to perpetuate itself, mostly even doing so unconsciously. The thought patterns only job is to perpetuate itself. Yes, just observe. Like a wisp of a lone cloud against a vast blue sky. Simply let it .. disappear. With attention on nothing but attention, the blue stays bluer, and eventually, this can open to an awareness of awareness that is self-sustaining. Open, gentle, and light is the touch that leads to clarity.
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Post by satchitananda on Sept 22, 2019 21:32:33 GMT -5
Positive thoughts and feelings are making you weary. The positive to compensate for negative. The back and forth. I agree with laffy and SDP. Just let it be without expectations of outcome and accept whatever arises or disappears.
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Mushin
Sept 22, 2019 23:14:19 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by stardustpilgrim on Sept 22, 2019 23:14:19 GMT -5
The positive to compensate for negative. The back and forth. I agree with laffy and SDP. Just let it be without expectations of outcome and accept whatever arises or disappears. Yes, to be impartial.
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Mushin
Sept 23, 2019 0:02:58 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2019 0:02:58 GMT -5
In my meditation lately, I'm noticing the mind constantly assuaging discomfort with fantasies or positive thought chains. Uncomfortable sensations, back pain, uncomfortable feelings, fear about hurricanes roaming around nearby, are replaced by positive thoughts or fantasies that help me feel good again. No judgement. Just observing this. Though there is a tendency to want to stop this dynamic, I am resisting the desire to stop this pattern and just watching it play out. Thoughts? This is exactly what the idea of becoming conscious of the content and dynamic of your mind is referring to. Albert Low wrote "arouse the mind without resting it anywhere". He said he got it from the Diamond Sutra. To me, Low describes a state where there is neither the negative thoughts arising nor the positive compensation, but yet, you are lucid and alert. Beautiful!
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Mushin
Oct 15, 2019 11:00:22 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2019 11:00:22 GMT -5
Been experimenting with mindfullness, lately. I notice that this requires quite a bit of effort, to keep on the present, what the body is doing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing. I notice that thoughts and my mouth are like a safety valve that relieves pressure when things in the present get too intense. It's difficult to just ride the wave of feeling without saying something or escaping into a thought story. I can do this with effort. Mushin is both different and similar. Different in that there is no effort in mushin, much easier to ride the waves of feelings/emotions, they seem remote. Similar in that the moments when thought or mouth is not running, feel like mushin.
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Mushin
Oct 16, 2019 2:44:33 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2019 2:44:33 GMT -5
Been experimenting with mindfullness, lately. I notice that this requires quite a bit of effort, to keep on the present, what the body is doing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing. I notice that thoughts and my mouth are like a safety valve that relieves pressure when things in the present get too intense. It's difficult to just ride the wave of feeling without saying something or escaping into a thought story. I can do this with effort. Mushin is both different and similar. Different in that there is no effort in mushin, much easier to ride the waves of feelings/emotions, they seem remote. Similar in that the moments when thought or mouth is not running, feel like mushin.
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