A friend asked, "How do you stay positive after slicing four shots in a row into the trees," when discussing golf.
Why must we stay positive? His question seemed to imply that we're 'suppose-ta' stay positive in order to be happy or find success. I see 'positive' kinda positively, but it doesn't do enough for me toward true inner peace (IE. Success). I mean, it helps us get some traction in accomplishments and doing things that are extremely vital to a balanced existence. Peeling the onion, however, one needs to understand that when the journey is appreciated, the problems are accepted. It just turns the ego upside-down, man. It literally goes into another layer. However, we haven't even scratched the surface.
In addition to appreciating the journey, we must fully accept our impermanence. Because in order to fully connect with appreciating this life for what it is, we must fully connect with what this life isn't. And life is temporary. Reflecting on the impermanence gives us appreciation for presence.
So, lets move backward now. How do I prepare my mind to accept the problems that I encounter, so that I will be truly prepared to meet the problem? What is "truly prepared?" Science knows that in a negative state of mind our brain utilizes a more primitive mind. The primitive mind helps us certain ways, but not for higher reasoning. That occurs in the fore-brain. So you kinda want that part available when problems arise. It stands to reason that if I train my brain to use less negativity regularly, success will be the secondary result. The practice of loving-kindness trains my brain to win battles- WHOA!! It's so counter intuitive.
So, back to the original question. I don't think we need to stay positive in the face of a disastrous performance on the golf course. It appears that if we engage the mind in appreciating the error, we will be more present to create (Fore-brain, higher reasoning, creative mind) what we intend.
The interesting thing is that it's so simple to know, and so difficult to be. That's why they call it practice!!
Why must we stay positive? His question seemed to imply that we're 'suppose-ta' stay positive in order to be happy or find success. I see 'positive' kinda positively, but it doesn't do enough for me toward true inner peace (IE. Success). I mean, it helps us get some traction in accomplishments and doing things that are extremely vital to a balanced existence. Peeling the onion, however, one needs to understand that when the journey is appreciated, the problems are accepted. It just turns the ego upside-down, man. It literally goes into another layer. However, we haven't even scratched the surface.
In addition to appreciating the journey, we must fully accept our impermanence. Because in order to fully connect with appreciating this life for what it is, we must fully connect with what this life isn't. And life is temporary. Reflecting on the impermanence gives us appreciation for presence.
So, lets move backward now. How do I prepare my mind to accept the problems that I encounter, so that I will be truly prepared to meet the problem? What is "truly prepared?" Science knows that in a negative state of mind our brain utilizes a more primitive mind. The primitive mind helps us certain ways, but not for higher reasoning. That occurs in the fore-brain. So you kinda want that part available when problems arise. It stands to reason that if I train my brain to use less negativity regularly, success will be the secondary result. The practice of loving-kindness trains my brain to win battles- WHOA!! It's so counter intuitive.
So, back to the original question. I don't think we need to stay positive in the face of a disastrous performance on the golf course. It appears that if we engage the mind in appreciating the error, we will be more present to create (Fore-brain, higher reasoning, creative mind) what we intend.
The interesting thing is that it's so simple to know, and so difficult to be. That's why they call it practice!!
No comments:
Post a Comment