We are wise to realize early that the way others meditate and the way they describe how they do it will sometimes be helpful, sometimes counterproductive. It will be an unfortunate detour if we stand more in awe of what others accomplish than of what we ourselves have it in our power to accomplish. We will be wise, too, to know early that we have as much potential for success at meditation as anyone else in any place or time. If we can't manage that much positive self-assessment, it will be helpful to try to imagine what it would feel like if we could. We do better to start our journey into contemplation using the make-believe of "what would it feel like if" than not to start at all.

#quote #spirituality

Epicurus on Happiness

• Make good Friends.
• Develop Self-sufficiency. Freedom.
• Have time to analyze, to  reflect. Be free of other's opinions.

Montaigne on Self-Esteem

• Be comfortable with your body as are animals. That is a wisdom to be learnt from animals.
• To be wise: Humility, modesty and acceptance of one's intellectual limitation.

Nietzsche on Hardship

• Our worries are vital clues telling us what is wrong with our lives and pointing the way to our ultimate improvement.
• Dare to take challenges in manner similar to climbing a mountain overcoming hurdles.
• That which does not kill me makes me stronger.

Seneca on Anger

• Pre-meditation on something uncomforting that might happen lessens the surprise and can help control the anger.
• Anger and frustration are irrational responses to setbacks and the only rational strategy is to stay calm about the fact that things do go wrong.

Socrates on Self-Confidence (Plato was his student)

• We should not be too swayed by the opinion of the others. Sheepish.
• Five distinct steps that anyone who wants to develop distinct thoughts should follow:

1. Look around for common statements that is stated to be common sense... like "Best jobs are the highly paid jobs"...
2. Look around for an exception.
3. If an exception is found then the statement is incorrect or at least imprecise.
4. Try to nuance the statement to take the exception in the account.
5. Continue this process... try to find exceptions to the common sense statement.

I was listening to ”Meditation: Falling Awake” on ABC Radio National’s The Spirit of Things. I found it informative. I found it voicing the same opinion what i hear on the Guided Meditation recording by Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore each morning. It is this- Meditation is not necessarily bliss. And this has been said by some other spiritual teachers too. I remember when I was a kid it was much easier and blissful to meditate. I would lose body consciousness in ten minutes. I did not persevere in my practice. I went on and off. Now I am working and live far away from home. I have taken it up again. It takes about one hour to get to that same state it used to take me only ten minutes. And it takes an effort to stay sitting now. The rule I broke was perseverance. I was not sincere. But no spiritual effort is ever wasted. The experience of peace, state of being without desires and love for all draws me back to it. It is very essential to be sincere and persevering in all our endeavours. It is noted that after the initial blissful experience we get in meditation- it decreases. But we must not lose heart. If we do not get discouraged and do not stop the practice we will gain deeper understanding of ourselves. I wish that you may never lose heart and practise sincerely.

Thank you for reading this, if you have a comment you are welcome to write it. I would be happy to read your comment.

#bliss #effort #endeavours #meditation #peace #perseverance #practice #spiritual