tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post113504390720359620..comments2024-03-27T02:13:58.088-07:00Comments on Integral Options Cafe: Hopelessness and Impotencewilliam harrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06981478282688361274noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post-1135651256210024202005-12-26T19:40:00.000-07:002005-12-26T19:40:00.000-07:00Thanks for sharing your observations, umguy.I have...Thanks for sharing your observations, umguy.<BR/><BR/>I haven't started formal Shambhala training yet, just studying Trungpa and Chodron right now and developing a more consistent meditation practice. I hope to start in the spring.<BR/><BR/>My therapist has a bit of a Buddhist approach (a lot of mindfulness practice), although she probably doesn't think so. So I'm getting a good grounding in mindfulness on the cushion and in daily life.william harrymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06981478282688361274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post-1135371060058624172005-12-23T13:51:00.000-07:002005-12-23T13:51:00.000-07:00I've had trouble with these kinds of feelings. An...I've had trouble with these kinds of feelings. And the best I've come up with so far is a kind of two fold thing.<BR/><BR/>It helps to make spiritual progress because being around more realized people has an effect. It pulls you up. Or simply interests you in what it is about such a person that makes them shine. So... the more people who make this effort and this progress the more chance that further people will make the effort and the progress. And it will build. Slowly. But I think it will build.<BR/><BR/>The second thing is understanding why it is so hard to get the people doing the most damage to loosen their grip. I guess lately I've thought of it in terms of groups like the ultra wealthy or conservative religious folk. They both seem to share a sense of assualt. When the people who are used to being in control and having the world favor them understand that some people want to loosen their control they tend to see it as an assualt on their way of life. And no one wants to give up the comfort of their current condition.<BR/><BR/>So, I guess the second part is a skillful means question of how do you interact with these blocks that have to give up something in order for the world to be a fairer, juster place. How do you do it in a way that respects them and prevents them from fighting progress. I'm not sure I know exactly how to do this. But I believe it can be done.<BR/><BR/>How do you like the Shambala Training? I'm thinking of taking Level 1 the next time they offer it in these parts.Umguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826758965617042473noreply@blogger.com