Re-engaging the mind...

[viniketa]

If one has attained a relatively high-level of mindfulness, meditative vision, and action -- if one looses that attainment --is it more difficult to begin again? How can one re-engage to discipline the mind? There are, in some ways, more obstacles to overcome. Perhaps there are thoughts that one's efforts are not 'enough' (in comparison with previous attainment) or that one's efforts are for naught if one cannot maintain a certain level.

Please, those who have had such experiences, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Loosing

[ghost01]

If one has attained a relatively high-level of mindfulness, meditative vision, and action -- if one looses that attainment --is it more difficult to begin again? How can one re-engage to discipline the mind? There are, in some ways, more obstacles to overcome. Perhaps there are thoughts that one's efforts are not 'enough' (in comparison with previous attainment) or that one's efforts are for naught if one cannot maintain a certain level.

I've slacked on practicing quite a bit over the past few months, and although I can't sit with the same degree of mindfulness sometimes, I have found in some ways it makes no difference at all. Did you really ever attain anything? When did you lose it?

There are, in some ways, more obstacles to overcome.

If it's not one thing, it's another. What's the difference what is it?

[dharmagoat]

If one has attained a relatively high-level of mindfulness, meditative vision, and action -- if one looses that attainment --is it more difficult to begin again? How can one re-engage to discipline the mind? There are, in some ways, more obstacles to overcome. Perhaps there are thoughts that one's efforts are not 'enough' (in comparison with previous attainment) or that one's efforts are for naught if one cannot maintain a certain level.

That mindfulness is never lost, it only appears to be. The attainment is knowing how to find it. Now that you know, you will return in time.

[seeker242]

Someone once asked a Olympic marathon runner where he got the motivation to practice running. He said "I get the motivation to practice running by going out and practicing running". Always loved that, ha!

[viniketa]

Did you really ever attain anything?

Perhaps not.

When did you lose it?

Slowly, over the last several years.

What's the difference what is it?

The desire to cultivate bodhicitta is waning.

you will return in time.

Thank you for the positive encouragement! You are right, the mindfulness is there; the ability or willingness to utilize it is sometimes missing.

"I get the motivation to practice running by going out and practicing running".

Good quote. That's it in a nutshell, isn't it?

Now, just need to overcome the fatigue, recover motivation, and get to practicing... yet it seems insurmountable, sometimes.

P.S.: Many thanks for the replies!

[seeker242]

Good quote. That's it in a nutshell, isn't it?

Now, just need to overcome the fatigue, recover motivation, and get to practicing... yet it seems insurmountable, sometimes.

P.S.: Many thanks for the replies!

Connecting with a real life Sangha or good teacher is very good motivation source, as well as doing a meditation retreat. A retreat is like an instant energy boost. If those things are available.

[Andrew108]

Thinking that you will gain something is the reason why you now feel you have lost something. If you want to develop your understanding then it is really important to be inspired by the teachings. The buddhist view of non-self is really important to realize. So this is something that is fundamental. If you have doubts about this then ask questions here. This forum is a great place for working through ones doubts.

[Jeff]

If one has attained a relatively high-level of mindfulness, meditative vision, and action -- if one looses that attainment --is it more difficult to begin again? How can one re-engage to discipline the mind? There are, in some ways, more obstacles to overcome. Perhaps there are thoughts that one's efforts are not 'enough' (in comparison with previous attainment) or that one's efforts are for naught if one cannot maintain a certain level.

Please, those who have had such experiences, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Loosing

It is like riding a bike... But, the "muscles" might be a little tight, so streching is good...

[viniketa]

Thinking more about this, about succumbing to "laziness", ran across this from Pema Chodron:

We can unite with laziness, be our laziness, know its smell and taste, feel it fully in our bodies. The spiritual path is a process of relaxing into this very moment of being. We touch in with this moment of lethargy or loss of heart, this moment of pain, of avoidance, of couldn’t care less. We touch in and then we go forward. This is the training. Whether in formal meditation or throughout our days and nights, we can train in letting go of our commentary and contacting the felt quality of our experience. We can touch our experience without getting hooked by the story line.... ... to relate with our depression and laziness in an honest and openhearted way. Instead of continuing to zone out and shut down and close off, we lean in and relax. This is how we practice." http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?o ... ew&id=2286

This is helpful, this is doable as a starting point...

Again, many thanks to those who replied.