Slowing down and learning to sit.
Posted by Allison Mack | Filed under Blog
I have been spending time with some specific friends who never cease to amazed me with their depth of thought and strength of character. I have been trying to break down what it is exactly about these people that feels so inspiring; what is it that these people do that I simply want to emulate all the time?
In essence, the thing I have discovered is their capacity to think. Now, how does one deepen or build their capacity to think?
Well, you practice. You practice sitting and thinking. Jesus, what a novel concept. Funny thing is when I sit and think for more than 30 min at a time I seem to fall asleep. So building up the stamina of depth. Is this possible?
When I saw the Dalai Lama speak last spring he was talking about the need for emotional or compassion based education. An education that trains your heart the way we train our muscles.
Possible?
I think yes.
It feels like we are in need of an emotional evolution. We have come so far intellectually and physically, I think the emotions and the caring, the humanity of it all is truly the next step. That is my thought anyway.
And so I will get back to my daily blogging. I find I really missed the daily check ins with you, but mainly the daily check ins with myself.
This is such a good process for me to sit and think and write what is in this wild an wacky brain of mine.
Thanks for your patience with my rollar coaster antics and off the wall thoughts. 
IM BACK!
xo
Tags: compassion, Education, practice
51 Responses to “Slowing down and learning to sit.”
-
Claud Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 7:44 amFirst, welcome back!
As to emotions, the thing we meed to learn (IMHO) is to control them, rather than being controlled by them. To have my emotions compliment (not dominate) my intellect. Is that what you mean?
-
Lou Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:03 amI think part of it is indeed practice. but beyond that, some people have a greater intelligence and some don’t.
same goes with having a “big heart.” practice helps, but part of it is still you’ve got it or you don’t.and reading your Blogs, Allison, it’s quite clear you have both. same with emotion. part of the emotion we’re striving for these days was perfected 2 thousand years ago by Jesus. not implying people must take a religious route. bear with me for a moment. Eliminating hypocrisy. Eliminating hate. Caring for one another. so on and so forth. That’s a big part of where it all came from. A lot of people these days feel abandoned and turn to each other.
Where were we before? was it out of ignorance, or apathy perhaps? or was it out of blindness? Why is it that we’ll only help people once something gets out of hand? is heading off a problem really that much more of a hassle? :/
-
Kristina Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:28 amI like the idea that people can learn to expand beyond their usual emotional capacities, however I don’t know if many people are willing to do so. Nowadays, people seem to not be in tune with their emotions or with what’s going on in the world around them. As a professor at a university, I’m constantly astounded by the lack of knowledge students have or their ability to empathize with others. Sometimes, it’s quite painful to try and lead a discussion in class.
Regardless, it’s refreshing to know that there are people who are willing to continue to grow beyond who they are and have the capacity to THINK.
And really, thank you for your daily blogs because they give me something to meditate and reflect on.
Damn, I might become a regular poster.
-
Avitable Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:35 amI find that when I sit and think, I need a pad of paper so that I can start writing – otherwise, it seems like I might be wasting good ideas.
-
Ross UK Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:57 amGlad to have you back Allison.
I think I’m probably a case in point for what you’re saying here. I am by nature an extremely analytical person. I never just plan or even just consider something on the fly, I have to analyse every little aspect of it. I think this means my emotional side is less developed than my intellectual side – while I can be quite emotional myself, I struggle with empathy unless I consciously think about it. My empathy is intellectual rather than instinctive.
This unfortunately can intrude other things in my life as well. For example, I play the guitar and it took me a very short time to become proficient, because learning the how of things is an intellectual process. Great music, however, requires an emotional leap and I’m the sort of person who has to consciously stop myself mechanically playing the notes and start feeling the music. Music is art, not a mathematical equation. So while I enjoy music and I enjoy playing the guitar, I feel that I’m limited in how far I can take it because of the way my mind works.
Like you say, emotional development is definately the next step, and if anyone can come up with a way to do it, I’d be happy to listen – so long as they can explain the method in the form A+B=C
-
James Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 9:16 amAnd we’re GLAD to have you back, Allison.
-
vegas911 Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 9:24 amGlad to hear from ya!!!!
I call it inner contemplation….i sit and think about things for at least…never less than…an hour every other day…..others call it meditation…..I think about EVERYTHING……it’s amazing how many revelations about yourself that you would not have known……once when I was contemplating I realized that I was a dependant person….I relyed on others to sort out my problems for me, while I sat and complained….When I did realize it, it was like the perverbial light bulb went off in my head…..and I decided that I needed to be a more independent and active in my own life and as a person….I mean no man is an island….but you can’t always count on other people to fix YOUR mistakes!!!
-
Jennifer Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 9:40 amAnd we love all your rollar coaster antics and off the wall thoughts. Glad to see them keep on coming. <3
-
Rachel531 Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 9:59 amGlad you’re back Allison! I was beginning to wonder if that impending Director stint you havewas going to wisk you off to Never Never Land for the next month! OK, now I need to ponder the subject you present…that counts as thinking, right??
-
Nikk Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 10:08 amBut Allison….thinking hurts my brain!!!
Hahahaha.
-
Darwin Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 10:18 amThere is yet ANOTHER dimension which adds LAYERS to the physical, intellectual and emotional and harmonizes them.
And that is spiritual.
Quick example: One progresses emotionally…CARES about people… intellectually analyzes and asseses the situation and circumstance with a focus to help…and then physically moves this help forward.
But…
We also risk becoming like the Lady Ducks in the Disney “Aristocats” movie who, though sincerely CARING… incorrectly assessed the circumstance of Thomas O’Mally Cat to be one of him trying to learn how to swim…rather than the actual circumstance of him trying to EXTRACT himself from the water.
So they physically applied their solution of removing his options for extracting himself…and he almost drowned.
Humorous in a cartoon…but a sadly FREQUENT event in real life.
This often requires going BEYOND intellect…and BEYOND simply caring…to
pondering with one’s spirit…so the person actually gets what they need.Last week on one of my walks I had just crossed a street and entered into the parking lot of a mall, which was at the top of a short rise…
There I met a man in a wheelchair.
He called to me, and asked if I would be able to help him down the rise and across the street.
I happily agreed.
Now he moved forward in his wheelchair by turning the wheels with his hands and shuffling forward with his feet.
We carefully went down the rise and were crossing the street…and I felt impressed to ask him where he was headed.
He hesitantly revealed that he was going to a street much further on…which was situated at the top of a hill.
So yes, it WAS true that he needed help to go down the rise and cross the street…but the WHOLE truth was that he needed much more help than that…
But he was embarrassed to ask.
Didn’t want to impose.
So I took him the rest of the way.
Now I do not believe that it was a coincidence that I encountered him right when he needed…me…someone specifically willing to go the extra mile.
Or the extra half-mile as was this case.
I COULD have taken my walk earlier…or left it for later…
But earlier…everytime I went to leave…I felt uneasy…like there was something I was forgetting…or something else I had to do first.
So I scratched my head about it for awhile….and puttered about until…
Yes…No more feeling of unease. I feel comfortable going now.
And then it was also a matter of…do I run? Do I jog? Do I just walk?
Do I stop in here on the way there…or on the way back?
Literally hundreds of little choices…decisions that could have effected the outcome….the coordination and timing…of whether I was there when he needed me or not.
How many times have I got it wrong?
Don’t know…
Would not even have known if I missed this one.
But…
I DO know that it is a level of awareness I take into consideration now.
-
Lydia Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 11:03 amYou saw the Dalai Lama speak? Wow!
Just sitting down and reflect, write emotions and thoughts down or share emotions and reflections…it’s really good for the heart and the soul. You’ll see.
-
Dream_Walker Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 11:33 amI agree, humanity is quite possibly our evolutions next step, but considering circumstances and the age we live in, into what society we have evolved, then most people seem inhumane in behaviour, like a “grey mass” sometimes even ruthless and coldhearted in behaviour. However i believe honesty, compassion, helping those in need and expressing Youre feelings to others should be guidelines to follow for everyone – aint that humane? Call me wierdo, call me old school, thats how i was raised and thats how i shall raise my kids someday
Peace …..DW
-
David Hayes Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 11:44 amHmmm. Meeting the Dalai Lama … or working with Dolly Parton … which was more … intimidating? Gotta be a better word than intimidating … just so burnt out now. The raw data for the statistics is updated again … through 9-20 … but the train is pulling out of the station again and I’d better keep at it if I’m going to catch up!
daybow.com/Exchange_File/AM_Stats.xls
Posting in alphabetical order is is not required, but it is appreciated!
-
Patrick Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 1:12 pmThinking? I tend to pace back and forth talking to myself (when there’s no one around of course) works for me!! It’s very therapeutic.
-
Sherann Johnson Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pmyay, your back! Allison you are totally one of those people like your friends, who are strong of character and deep in thoughts. It’s so very clear in the type of thoughts and conversations that you share with us on here.
-
Maria Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pmWow, you just came back with a new blog and already you’ve got my brain RUNNING again!! LOL
Such an interesting take you have about education. Imagine that, an education that teaches the ways of this life and not only give you the materials to go LIVE that life. I mean, I definitely agree with you about an emotional evolution. Wow! So deep!!
That line most def got me thinking! This world is being torn apart by men and how they want to keep finding out how to take the next big step in technology or how to start a war in order have more land or power. Not knowing that in that process they keep stepping on the people who’re in the middle, the little people. What the world really needs is to heal, emotionally. There’s been so much blood spilled you know what I mean? Right now we need something to believe in and give us hope.
WOW! Umm, I’m back!
Allison thx 4 giving me a brain a little pick me up! LOlXoxo
Maria
-
Ruthie Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pmhmmmn. I am so glad (pause for effect) I found your blog. How wonderful to have friends who enrich your life. And that you are able to pass on that inspiration to others. I can’t think of anything more joyful or rewarding. I am inspired everyday by amazing people in my life and so many others like you! My inner-exploration usually takes form in writing (blogging is a super outlet for that), although I take time everyday to sit in silence with nothing but my emotions…just feeling. It’s that intuitive heart-knowledge that I desire to tap in to…the place I believe we all connect, the place where empathy and compassion are born. This is where our evolution is going…wow, thank you just for saying that. yes! Doesn’t it do something for your heart to talk about such things?!
I love Pema Chodron. Right now I’m soaking in her book Comfortable With Uncertainty. I think the idea of the Bodhichitta (sanskrit for noble or awakened heart) that she talks about in this book is exactly the sort of transformation that we’re embracing:
“Instead of transcending the suffering of all creatures, we move toward the turbulence and doubt however we can. We explore the reality and unpredictability of insecurity and pain, and we try not to push away…With us move millions of others, our companions in awakening from fear….Bodhichitta is our heart–our wounded, softened heart. Right down there in the thick of things, we discover the love that will not die. This love is bodhichitta. It is gentle and warm; it is clear and sharp; it is open and spacious. The awakened hear of bodhichitta is the basic goodness of all beings.”–Pema Chodron
Please keep thinking and feeling and sharing and enjoying those radiant souls that surround you and inspire!
Namaste, brave souls!
-
Matthew Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pmSeeing that your back just brought a smile to my face, i dont even understand it! Some way your daily postings are a time to sit down and think about life. All the worries, stress, and frustration we dont need. I think this ties into not letting your emotions overpower your good will. Just reading the blog settles you, and is a time just to think. I say that a great deal but thats because i TRUELY mean it! Theres just something about your style, even writing that makes the world seem a hell of a lot better. If people can just try and maybe even do what your saying, imagine what the world could be like! It makes you want to jump up and say “hoky shit” theres actually someone who cares!
Goodbye and thank you SO much!
-
Adrian P Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 3:34 pmhi ally, did u really met with the dalai lama?
what an envy
plus my mom would die if she finds out! she loves him, and i admire him.well, i really think the same about the evolution of our thoughts, and it’s a shame that mamy people don’t see it…
love to hear that you’ll post regualarlly and hope that you get what your looking fo this cheks of yourself…
-
shinefloyd / luigi Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pmGreat Allison!
Welcome back to your E-home.
We missed you.
like the philosophical statement used by René Descartes, “Cogito, ergo sum”.but… sometimes we need…”Res non verba”.
and this is very important: “Primum vivere deinde philosophari”.
and of course…” Errare Humanum est”I hope you are very well, and ready to teach us more about meditation.
Sit down and don’t fall asleep…lol
-
Marilyne Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pmWe definitly don’t think enough! We seem so stressed to be everywhere at the same time that once we actually stop and think, we fall asleep…:P The best moment for me to get me thinking is once I’m in my bed, doing nothing else then trying to sleep, ideas and thoughts pop up
Glad to see you’re back! 10 days?!… haha! take care of yourself and most of all, have fun, will ya!
-
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 5:09 pmmeh -_-
im reading a book by him right now…
jealous
hahahaha YOU tend to fall asleep!
In class I can’t stay awake…
we were learning about the brain anyways…
and active learning is always the way to go…
its hard to sit through and remember any information given to you during an in class sit down session.
weird stuff -
arash Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pmI just watched smallville, now we are talking alison. I really liked the joker gloves you were wearing when you killed the guy
-
David Hayes Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:08 pmAllison almost got to meet the David Lame-y too. But that’s another story.
-
me Rachel Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:09 pmHaving long discussions and then reflecting on them helps makes you think a lot.
-
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:14 pmoh david?
-
Darwin Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:25 pmUhhh Arash?
Pssst!
Not SUPPOSED to post spoilers here before people get to see the show!
There’s a spoiler section on the forum where people KNOW they will find things…and lets those who LIKE to be surprised STILL be surprised!
Some people will not be finished the show for another two and a half hours…but they STILL cruise the blogs beforehand…
Just so you know…*smiles*
(I already saw it too!)
-
Brittany Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:28 pmHey Allison! I’m glad your back and I’m very happy that your having a wonderful time and experience with these wonderful thoughtful people! I know how exciting it is to exchange opinions and thoughts with each other, which is exactly what we do hear! This website is a place where I can literallly pour my heart and soul onto and not get judged. I can’t wait for you to direct Smallville. I’m so excited for you. It’s an amazing oppurtunity and you will be an a amazing directress! Smallville Season 8 is the best one yet and it keeps me on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next! I am truly blessed to have found this site and to be able to communicate with you , an amazing role model, and to be close to someone that inspires me everyday. I wish you teh best of luck and greatness, and I hope you lead a very thoughtful, beautiful life! I support you to the max and you are just truly an amazing young lady with so much talent!
Much love,
Brittany XOXO -
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:34 pmOMG! smallville is tonight!
i didn’t even remember that!!! wtfff! -
jennygirl Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:46 pmIt would be nice to learn to sit and think….but the world also needs those who are naturally entertaining and vivacious.
Who else would listen to those who stop and thought?
-
arash Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:46 pmsorry, for spoiling it, but there is much more to see, such as… I better shut up now.
-
Ian Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 6:56 pmHey Allison.
I have watched Six Feet Under the last couple of weeks, and it really got me thinking about death. I really wanna hear your thoughts about death. What is it? and the question that is on my mind non stop for days, what is after you die?
My biggest fear is that death is just sleeping without dreaming. I just wish I could die for 2 seconds and come back to life and know that there’s more, or that there isn’t. It’s so depressing to think that if there REALLY isn’t anything after that you don’t even know your dead.
Why won’t the people we loved and lost won’t show us that life isn’t everything by doing someting ghost-like? just to comfort us?
One day we all gonna know what’s it all about, or maybe we don’t.
I know that it is a depressing subject but it’s on my mind for days now and I really wanna know other people’s POV.
-
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 7:09 pm^^
intense
i ponder myself
but then i also like to think of now
opposed to then
because what if we spend too much
time thinking about death
and not enough time about living
….
and then we die?
what have we accomplished?
going deeper into a bottomless pit of pondering?
and wondering? -
arash Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 7:14 pmIan, I suggest you stop thinking about it. Many school kids choked themselves to death, trying this. I have seen it myself. Don’t worry we will all experience it one day, no need to rush it. There is a lot to experience before that moment, don’t miss them.
-
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pmughhh
bad experiences…
seeing people play the choking game
ughh
its horrible
i saw my best friend pass out and not wake up
for 5 minutes
when we were like 11 -
Ian Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm@ arash.
I didn’t knew kids did that. I mean, I will never try to kill myself, I’m not that kind of a person.I like to think that death is this higher power, like nature is. Something that keeps itself organised, my view of a higher power.
But to be even more positive, maybe Death isn’t at all what we think it is. We think it is this thing were everything ends. Or maybe Death isn’t even death. Like when we think we see a car in the distance, only to figure out that it is a house.
-
taylor nikole Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:41 pm^^
pondering again LOL
-
Bouroux Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 8:48 pmHi Allison.
Who are these specific friends who never cease to amazed you?
When I want to emulate someone all the time , I compare his situation of life with mine. If to acquire their strength of character and thought I must abandon the true side of myself, it’s not a good move. The person must by his actions give the example and show me that my life will be better if I emulate her.
We really need to choose his models and not be fooled by appearances. It is not everyone can think more than 30 minutes without falling asleep.
Happy to exchange thoughts on a daily basis.
Big temperature change in Montreal, I swimmed for the last time two weeks ago and yesterday it snowed.
Good nightClaude.
-
kadosho Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 10:24 pmCan’t disagree with the Dalai Lama, truer words can’t be expressed by more than one person. Past few months, my own “sense of balance” was also put through a test. Somehow things have changed, for the better, yet other things begin to unfold. Another lesson .. yet with those you care about, its worth going through anything you can handle.
Hope you have a good weekend Allison (and to everyone as well)
-
Sarynelli Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 11:41 pmI agree with you, Allison, that sitting and thinking is such a novel concept, it’s almost audacious. I feel in today’s society, people get so carried away with consumerism, and politics, and the hassles of every day life, they lose the will to just spend some time with themselves and really reflect on their life, and their emotions, and their circumstances.
And I also agree with the Dalai Lama that our hearts must be exercised the way we exercise our muscles. We can preach and make people aware of our circumstances as a people as much as we want, but if they don’t feel passionate about the subject, then they won’t take action. We must exercise our heart in order to feel compassion and sympathy and thereby inspiration and enthusiasm towards our intellectual evolution.
p.s. how nervous ARE you about directing in 9 days?! haha
-
skahahoo Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 11:56 pmInteresting that you guys bring up death, because recently in medicine, they’ve organized a committee of sorts to set standards on when it’s okay to declare a person is dead. It used to be a lot simpler, but nowadays, with all of the technological advancements, things aren’t so clear anymore.
Another interesting study they’re putting together is to examine the out-of-body experiences many people claim to have after their heart has stopped beating.
As to the question posed by the blog…I’m not sure what it’s like in other cultures, but around here (NY metropolitan area), many people are always on “Go go go!” mode. I’m always so amazed by how much even teenagers do nowadays – to the point that I worry they might burn out. Personally, I think it is beneficial to take some time out of the day to reflect on what’s going on in your life, or new ideas you’ve encountered. I think most of us need time to sort through things and make connections. But that’s just me. Maybe buzzing around with so much activity is an evolution in itself that I’m just not hip to. Who knows.
I think that very generally, each of us has roughly the same ability to empathize and be compassionate towards others…some of us have more, some of us have less. I think for most people, whether or not we act largely depends on our awareness and experience of others’ suffering and how far we’re willing to go to help those in need. A lot of times, I think people DO want to help, but that the infrastructure isn’t in place to make it easy for them to help. Maybe helping isn’t supposed to be easy, I don’t know. But I can certainly sympathize…I mean, when you’re one person, the problems you’re faced with can seem awfully daunting. But I do think it’s a telling mark of how compassionate a society is…the ease with which people can go out and help others.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is…I’m not sure whether or not it’s so much an evolution of emotions that is called for, as much as it is an evolution of societal mechanisms that allow people to better engage with and help their communities. The emotions, or the capacity for emotion, is already in place, I think.
-
Kristina Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:10 amIn reference to skahahoo’s comment about people being on the “go go go,” I’ve seen it in other countries as well. I don’t think it’s a universal sickness. Specifically, I’ve been living in Tokyo for the last year and have watched people work themselves to death. Rather than the Western ideal of a 9-5 job, they are working a 9-9 shift with a day off here or there. Most people appear to be too busy to take any time for themselves and I sometimes question whether they are happy. The suicide rate in Japan should tell me something I guess.
IMO people here, and around the world generally, seem so disconnected with themselves and others and they would perfer to be absorbed in their electronic devices rather than others.
-
Cindy Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 4:02 amHey Allison! Welcome back. I’ve really missed your posts.
Yet again, you pose a very interesting and reflective question.
Its funny, two nights ago I watched this movie called “Into the Wild”. The move is based on the life and death of Christopher McCandless and it was simply put: spellbinding! I’ve since researched his story a little bit and all I can say is Wow! What a brave and companionate man he was! He was obviously a really deep thinker and somebody who absolutely would not sell-out on his beliefs. He refused to let modern life and its conveniences compromise him. Even though his moral compass in the end led him to tragedy, I could never think of him as that.
His story certainly made me think. Do we really need all the comforts and conveniences we take for granted every day? In the end, does possessions and greed not strip us of our humanity and make us nothing more than hollow copy cats obsessed with measuring up to the ideals that society dictates? Could deep reflection be the antidote? I truly believe it could..
Being able to think really deeply about the world around us and, more importantly, about the world inside us, I believe, is one of the most essential ingredients for making sense out of this crazy, crazy life. It may just be one of the most powerful tools at man kind’s disposal for making this world and ourselves be more than what we are.
I really need to make more time for thinking and reflection in my life…. That is one of the reasons I like to come to this site. It’s a place of likeminded people who encourage each other to think…
-
Scott Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 5:09 amI’m going to write this as if I’m writing to Allison. I don’t know if she’s reading this. My regular expectation is that celebrities don’t because they don’t have the time to read all comments and read them thoroughly, but this is how my message wants to come out.
Allison, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of the idea of building our capacity to think by practicing sitting and thinking. It sounds strange to me, since I’ve never gone out of my way to do it; it’s simply an aspect of my life that at times, I stop, and reflect. I remember one of my undergrad professors for creative writing giving our class an assignment to sit and stare out a window for 30 minutes and do nothing else, just sit and reflect. That makes me realize while it comes natural for me, it may not be quite so for other people.
Our society is already on the path to ‘emotional evolution,’ encapsulated in spiritual searching that is NOT about finding a religion to join. I haven’t been as active as I like lately, but on Facebook, I’m on a ton of groups aimed at this. Nurturing and growing in spirit, showing appreciation and respect for the capacity to love, sometimes criss-crossing religious boundaries to get at the underlying spiritual side of life. The most important part to remember in all of this is that the terms ‘religious’ and ‘spiritual’ do not go directly hand in hand. As an easy example, you do not need to follow any specific religion to believe in the existence of ghosts.
The project I want to start, assuming I find the time and strength of heart I want to pour into writing it, will try to develop that. A fictional world, but trying to avoid things so fantastical as to be impossible in our world.
I have no idea why I said that either. I’ve mostly been trying to keep even that under wraps until I manage to write up something tangible and have everything prepared to send out.
Anyway, I agree, I think the heart, spirit and soul is what we will develop next. It’s something we’ve been letting slip over the past several decades, so we’re due for a leap.
-
James Pate Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:25 pmI used to fall asleep too when I sat in silence and meditated. Of course, that may have been because it was really early in the morning.
-
Kyle Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 8:22 pmTraining the heart is the least developed in people, and the most difficult to train. It takes discipline, but it can be done.
Glad you’re back.
-
Neil Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 8:35 pmI am so glad the “old” Allison is back here. Sorry about the “old” part, but it’s not in reference to your age … LOL. I miss the earlier blogs you wrote about self-discovery. And all the energy you put into your blogs. It seems to be back once again, and I am so happy to see it . I so very welcome you back!! Keep on exploring, Allison, you’re the best!!
-
paul Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 3:33 amI believe we already do have a field of education based on compassion and emotion: we have the humanities. Literature, painting and sculpture and architecture, music, drama and film, history and philosophy. This is the study of our fellow man, and I can’t think of a more fitting and rewarding subject of a lifetime of study. Or, for those who have talent, a more fitting life’s work.
-
Stephen K Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:09 amAllison,
I think we overstimulate our children. That is what leads to concentration or focusing issues. The nursery filled with toys. Scheduling the child’s day so it’s jam packed. The intention is good, to give the child a broad range of experiences. But the mind becomes conditioned to look for the next new thing and the child never gets to focus for very long on one thing. A developing mind needs (lots of) time to focus, it is trying to learn how, trying to build concepts.Then in school k-12. We’re studying some topic, just beginning to get interested, and the bell rings. On to something else. Fifty minutes later it rings again. Over and over, day after day.
On TV a sitcom lasts 30 min a drama 60, then on to something else. We are being bombarded with thoughts and images from every direction. 24/7 if you let it. Our minds are fully occupied just filtering the information coming in, trying to pick out or derive something useful. So is it any wonder that people have trouble focusing.
As a kid I watched a lot of TV. But since them I’ve been decreasing the ‘noise’, now I don’t own a TV. I used to socialize all the time, now I hang out with a select group of friends. If I run across a subject that interests me, say on some blog, I can spend hours thinking about it , researching it etc. I focus on it until my interest in the subject is satisfied. Many times the initial subject leads to study in a related area.
I googled ‘how to concentrate’ and got a lot of hits. Maybe one of the techniques offered will make sense to you.
Steve K -
R Kappz Says:
November 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pmIf you can practice physical movement by excercise you can certainly practice some sort of mind control. I mean learn to control your mind and use it in certain ways. The most common compliment I recieve is when I draw people say, “Wow you’re a great artist. I can’t draw at all it doesn’t come naturally.” I tell them it’s just like anything else, do it and you will get better. This works with anything and everything. There are people who practice reasoning, people who practice concentration, people who practice being nice and they are better at it than people who don’t. And also, like drawing, the more you do it, the better you get, the more you want to do it.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
