Cultivation Is Not A Separate Practice

[skydog]

lol when i worked/if i ever decide to i bet ill just use it as a chance to "cultivate" got me thinking maye its irrational last time i worked i would stay in lower dan tien and explode at my boss for telling me what to do too many times haha before that I just did inner smile all day, most harmonious is when I just did nothing at all...interesting topic this hope im not going offtopic

[GrandmasterP]

Nearly 46 years now since I began having to do paid work and I have yet to get to like it.

Only chose teaching as soon as I got that chance cos we get good long hols.

Those jobs that do combine cultivation and work such as monking I could never ever do even in the Ashram where you would think it was easy enough there were so many petty rules and squabbles. If anything it was harder to maintain any sort of spirituality there.

[Jeff]

^^^^^

 

I'm not sure if we disagree, though. I'm just as serious about cultivation as you are. And I've been seeking this path for 20+ years. The difference between you and me is I think lying about on the beach and bird watching is some serious cultivation. I believe nature appreciation to be the highest level of meditation. I don't believe that learning reverse breathing is any more effective than gardening or calligraphy, if done with a higher purpose. I don't believe cultivation is limited to meditation.

 

I would agree. Just being "in the moment" is an outstanding practice. Do it enough and one starts to realize that there really is no such thing as a practice.

 

If your life allows, then beach and bird watching is great. But, in a busy life... Just "listening" to relaxing music can be just as good. The key is "just listening".

 

[Jeff]

Focused is good. Those who are focused on a single goal have more chance of getting there sooner than butterflies ( self included).

 

Every seen a butterfly "worried"? Is "enlightenment" a goal to be accomplished?

 

[RiverSnake]

Something I have noted recently while studying the Western Tradition of Esotericism is that people who are very much into Ritual and Cerremonial Magic and have all the tool, robes, swords, books, stones, incense.....etc .....

 

I am finding that people whom practice this aspect of the Western Tradition emphasize working purely In the temple and don't take there practice anywhere else. I was listening to an audio clip of a person whom had been practicing in the Western Tradition for 20 years and was just learning how to Integrate practice into his everyday life.

 

I just found this utterly weird and almost couldn't believe it. But I guess different schools equals different emphasis.

 

-My 2 cents, Peace

Edited December 30, 2012 by OldGreen

[GrandmasterP]

So too, the experiences that Freemasonry is designed to evoke are beyond language. Those experiences are symbolized by the objects, actions, and legends of Freemasonry, but they cannot be expressed adequately and directly in words. Masonic secrets are symbols of what cannot be expressed—the Masonic spiritual experience. Masonic secrets are symbolic substitutes for the real experiences that await the Freemason in the course of the inner initiations that are the real content of Masonry.

Same goes for ritual wear and objects in other traditions too I expect.

[GrandmasterP]

There's magic.

;-)

[skydog]

bump, im doing this these days, realise the importance of balance and spontaneous life