Are we overcomplicating this?

[Brian]

I've been thinking a lot about this lately as I slowly, slowly re-engage with my own practice after a period of illness.

 

I'm starting to think we're overcomplicating things. I've practiced and read about a great many systems of meditation and energy cultivation--which seem to grow increasingly complex the further I get into them--and they may be losing the plot, as it were. Simple "sitting and forgetting" and a more active component (Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, etc) are helping me regain ground faster than any of the more complicated systems.

 

So maybe we should just return to basics? It's a thought, and I'd love to hear yours.

Yes, we tend to over-complicate things. It is what we do. Even when we realize that, we tend to over-complicate our efforts to simplify things. Again, it is what we do.

 

The rational mind is a powerful tool but it is not who you are and it is not your master, no matter how adamantly it insists on being in charge.

[dwai]

Yes, we tend to over-complicate things. It is what we do. Even when we realize that, we tend to over-complicate our efforts to simplify things. Again, it is what we do.

 

The rational mind is a powerful tool but it is not who you are and it is not your master, no matter how adamantly it insists on being in charge.

Words of wisdom right there...

[Spotless]

In order to sustain our noise it takes a great deal of energy.

 

Simple practice - sustained - will transform us with greater energy set in presence and increasing peace.

 

Subtle abiding presence in Now takes a very tiny amount of energy.

 

Maintaining our stories and noise dissipates our energy, exercises the noise and solidifies our positions.

 

Upon Awakening or in an Awakening experience we see the illusion and preposterousness of our ego and its relentless dissipation and constant need to replenish its veil over Presence.

[Spotless]

.

Edited August 23, 2016 by Spotless

[Rocky Lionmouth]

While a large part of me screams YES! another part says:

No such thing as over-complicating. It's like when your shoes are sopping wet and you dont care and step right through a puddle of water thinking "they're soaked already, doesnt get any wetter than this" and immediately after realize that assumption was wrong.

Stuff is complicated, balance is always a little bit off, thank our lucky stars!

[Mudfoot]

Simple or not simple?

 

You can stand in a stance and be unaware of the energetic work being done, thus it is simple.

 

You can stand in a stance and be aware of the energetic work being done, thus it is natural.

 

You can stand in a stance and try to do the energetic work, making it complicated.

 

And after stating a preference for one of the above you can get mauled on a forum ;-)

[dwai]

Simple or not simple?

 

You can stand in a stance and be unaware of the energetic work being done, thus it is simple.

 

You can stand in a stance and be aware of the energetic work being done, thus it is natural.

 

You can stand in a stance and try to do the energetic work, making it complicated.

 

And after stating a preference for one of the above you can get mauled on a forum ;-)

 

Mudfoot,

 

 

You have articulated this wisdom so well! Thank you for that...

 

Indeed our natural tendency is to "try"...so we "try to meditate", "try to do energetic work", etc etc.

The moment we apply too much effort, we are blocking the energies. If we don't apply any effort initially, however, it is no use.

 

The cliched albeit valid truth is that effort has to be just right...not too much, not too little (like in the Goldilocks story...was it written by a Daoist?)

[idquest]

Everything is simple once you've done gong. Somehow this gets missed.

[effilang]

Yes.

[silent thunder]

breathe in relax

breathe out let go

repeat

[Marblehead]

Hey!  That worked!

[Orion]

I sat with a guru in Nepal while I was there. (I'm not one to worship gurus, but he called himself a guru so that's what I refer to him as.) I was at a very low point in life, very depressed in the existential sense... wasn't finding at all what I came there to find. I started telling the guru about my story, what brought me there, this and that. He didn't seem to care at all. He kept waving his hand in my face... like, stop telling stories, just do what you want, do what makes you happy.

 

I've come full circle since then, and all I can really say is that the point of the practices and the systems is about clearing out the crap which prevents you from seeing the being you are, which is of this very moment, and its true virtues. There isn't one system better than another, just the one that works for you. The systems show you potentials, but they aren't the solution. Nothing can ever solve this for you. It can only show you what is possible. You then have to do the work, which, once accomplished, shows you how no work was necessary. It's annoying in a way... seeing how much we put ourselves through to realize a simple reality that was always inherent, but that's the human drama I suppose.

 

After reaching the highest peaks and the lowest lows, I have to say that I'd rather just follow my bliss at this point. When you bring everything you've learned down to your human level experience, you're still left with the same question: what do I do? If nothing ultimately matters, then you're free to do whatever you want. So what do you want?

 

What's different about that question at the start, and at the finish, is that at the finish there is way less egoic crap in the way of seeing the question. As for answers... well... answers end reality. Questions keep things open. Not that I'm by any means finished.

 

So yeah... we overcomplicate things, but usually en route to simplification. The more complicated you make it, the greater the chance you'll eventually break, and then surrender, and then realize. We ebb and flow through clarity and fog, awakeness and then grogginess. My impression is that this is normal.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Orion

[Nerien]

I'm starting to think we're overcomplicating things.

 

Yes, wildly overcomplicating things.

 

The real practice is like dropping a heavy load. You'd do it naturally, and in an instant, if you weren't so attached to all the preferences and junk you've accumulated. But you won't - so all these systems and practices are just a way of tricking your overly complicated and self-important mind into doing it despite itself.   

 

Give up on this life. Practice compassion.

[Marblehead]

 Practice compassion.

And eat more peanut butter.

[dwai]

[silent thunder]

sunflower butter...

[rene]

almond butter...

[Nerien]

And eat more peanut butter.

 

"An act of benevolence is responded to with an act of nut butter."

 

Or something like that....