Been there…thankfully sangha brothers told me it was purification but my Catholic guilt kicked in hard, then.
Intrusive Thoughts as Deeds of Māras
Re: Intrusive Thoughts as Deeds of Māras
Thoughts arise from within, still an external influence can induce them. That being said, even if there is an influence, it reveals what’s inside. The exterior knock on the door, but no one force us to open the door. If you have anger within, all kind of situations will manifest to reveal it and make it manifest.
It is quiet normal to have all kind of thoughts, fighting against them makes them stronger. Direct your attention to something else and after some time they will subside.
I did zen meditation, guided by an experimented teacher, and found it really helps to let the thoughts pass by, and find a place of peace inside.
Purification practice helps also a lot.
It is quiet normal to have all kind of thoughts, fighting against them makes them stronger. Direct your attention to something else and after some time they will subside.
I did zen meditation, guided by an experimented teacher, and found it really helps to let the thoughts pass by, and find a place of peace inside.
Purification practice helps also a lot.
Re: Intrusive Thoughts as Deeds of Māras
I am very surprised (and, honestly, skeptical) if anyone genuinely do not experience intrusive thoughts.
I always have, and have calmed friends down in the past who found it really distressing to be having certain thoughts arise by explaining that it is very common and does not mean anything terrible about them; and, of course, now that I am involved in the dharma, letting good and bad thoughts arise as they will, but not following or reifying them, is standard meditation advice which seems to speak directly too that.
The past few weeks I have been experiencing quite a few intrusive thoughts, associated with my grieving, feeling overwhelmed, tired and confused. I have thought about the homeless people who live near me who shout at the universe and hit themselves, etc. and thought that with just a tiny bit more stress, or a just a tiny bit less internal space to hold these thoughts, I would be doing exactly the same thing (although, I acknowledge that I can't know what they're experiencing, and am not trying to pretend I do).
In good moments I can use these thoughts and feelings as a basis for finding rigpa, or for working to develop refuge or compassion.
Most moments it just sucks, and I try to keep going and do what I need to do, having faith that it will help, whether it feels like it in the moment or not.
I always have, and have calmed friends down in the past who found it really distressing to be having certain thoughts arise by explaining that it is very common and does not mean anything terrible about them; and, of course, now that I am involved in the dharma, letting good and bad thoughts arise as they will, but not following or reifying them, is standard meditation advice which seems to speak directly too that.
The past few weeks I have been experiencing quite a few intrusive thoughts, associated with my grieving, feeling overwhelmed, tired and confused. I have thought about the homeless people who live near me who shout at the universe and hit themselves, etc. and thought that with just a tiny bit more stress, or a just a tiny bit less internal space to hold these thoughts, I would be doing exactly the same thing (although, I acknowledge that I can't know what they're experiencing, and am not trying to pretend I do).
In good moments I can use these thoughts and feelings as a basis for finding rigpa, or for working to develop refuge or compassion.
Most moments it just sucks, and I try to keep going and do what I need to do, having faith that it will help, whether it feels like it in the moment or not.
"Death's second name is 'omnipresent.' On the relative truth it seems we become separate. But on the absolute there is no separation." Lama Dawa