Deep thoughts... by IchBin

[IchBin]

Over the last couple of years as I've examined my own place in this world I've come to appreciate some things. One of them being things I've learned about the Neuropyschological side of humans. How/why we react to things. Why we are the way we are. Anyhow, recently I was reading a book from a Zen master named Thich Nhat Hanh called The Miracle of Mindfulness. The first chapter has a great little story that really turned on a light bulb for me. Here's the summation of it if you're interseted.

If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not "washing the dishes to was the dishes." What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus we are sucked away into the future -- and we are incapable of actually living one minute of life.

I don't know about you, but I certainly need to "enjoy the moment" more often than I do in a lot of aspects of my life. Especially as a Father. Anyway, there's my deep thought for the day.

[Crip]

Makes me think ...

[Ken.]

Nice.

Gonna try to find this book.

[G6Cad]

I love the Zen mind reading , have read quite a lot of book about it, also thaiShi the inner you.
I know a lot about it, but i really need to really take in what it really means.

[Crip]

Kind of reminds me of this poem --

                                Take Time To Smell The Roses!
             Time moves along so fast
             It could be that your turn is next
             Tomorrow might be your last.

             Take time to look around you
             See loved ones pass away
             We do not know the future
             It could be you today.

             Take time to read the Bible
             There’s power in the Light
             You think you’ll live forever
             But you might go tonight.

             Take time for fervent prayer
             Lift up His name on high
             Call out the name of Jesus
             For you will surely die.

             Take time for sweet surrender
             Seek out His mighty will
             Today while you are able
             For soon, you will be still.

             Take time to grasp the moment
             So fast, the clock does tick
             We do not know the hour
             Your number could be next.

             Take time to smell the roses
             Before it is too late
             Today is full of promise
             Tomorrow will not wait.

             Author/Written By:
             Marilyn Ferguson

[Xarcell]

Over the last couple of years as I've examined my own place in this world I've come to appreciate some things. One of them being things I've learned about the Neuropyschological side of humans. How/why we react to things. Why we are the way we are. Anyhow, recently I was reading a book from a Zen master named Thich Nhat Hanh called The Miracle of Mindfulness. The first chapter has a great little story that really turned on a light bulb for me. Here's the summation of it if you're interseted.

If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not "washing the dishes to was the dishes." What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus we are sucked away into the future -- and we are incapable of actually living one minute of life.

I don't know about you, but I certainly need to "enjoy the moment" more often than I do in a lot of aspects of my life. Especially as a Father. Anyway, there's my deep thought for the day.

These are the kind of things I read about everyday. I can talk about these kinds of things all day. It's my favorite topic...

[bloc]

In fact..while the example is kind of strange, since we often do chores or needed task to get to do what we love lol , thus get to the business of truly "living", I can't help think about its underlying message: that you should be 100% dedicated in all things you do.

Lately I been very busy with things, there seems its not enough hours in the day even, and I often arrested myself from overlooking especially the kids' needs. At nights, when the 2 elder ones listen to a story, and talk about the day, I realize that in just a few years they gonna not be interested anymore in that, well not so much anyway. I find myself stopping up and listen more carefully what they say, how they say it.

[IchBin]

Good advice, and definitely noted. Thanks! I agree though, not enough time in the day. All too often I get caught up in things finding myself neglecting things that are more important.

[Zetan]

I'm not a religious person, but I often pause for thought and admire what is. Even just walking/traveling to where I'm heading.
The worlds a much faster place than it was 50 years ago. It's hard to keep up at times. So I try to take a breath and reflect a bit on where it is I'm heading and why.

At work recently, we've managed to get hold of some old black and white video footage of our local area. It's incredible the changes and development that has happened where I live, and it's still changing. Lots of new development, a new University was recently built, our football stadium is about to be demolished and a new one built at another site, an old gas works concrete jetty has just be demolished.

We've been pouring over old photos from the 50's and 60's and some earlier. It's great looking back on what was, and placing what is now and trying to put everything here now into a physical area. Shops close and new ones open.

I would love to walk down our high street 50 years ago, this town has a lot of history and some parts are from Saxon times.


As for the inner me, or you  I try to pause and let the rest of the world whizz by, even if just for a few moments.

[astrod00d]

It's always good to slow down and enjoy what is happening around you.  I was in the military and have lived in a few different sized towns and cities because of it.  It seems to me that the larger the city, the less time there seems to be to enjoy things.  I live in San Antonio now which is around 1.2 million people or so, the largest city I've lived in.  It is now more evident than ever.  Everything is a rush.  My wife is always wanting to have people over and travel to visit family.  Me...I like to sit at home more often than not and enjoy my home and the people and things in it.