Lost Coin Notes August 5, 2008

This week Daniel is introducing a new topic - SO PLEASE READ THESE NOTES

There is a myth in people who practice - you think you are going to completely change your consciousness. You will be very disappointed.

Yasatani Roshi (Mazumi Roshi's teacher) presented enlightenment as permanent - it isn't. It is a door opened. Once you have realization - the door is always open (you know how to get there).

If a 5% change is significant, work with that 5% by focusing on attention and impression.

Attention

You become what you give your attention to, and you are what you give your attention to. Daniel's teacher, Dave Daniels said that attention is the sincerest form of love. In the beginning of a relationship we mechanically give our partner a lot of attention. A way to revitalize a relationship is to give it a lot of attention.

Paying attention to things like a walk in the woods or an art exhibit will leave a good impression that helps you to be more mindful. Fantasy of certain kinds doesn't provide the right kind of attention.

If you want to know who you are - see what you give your attention to.

Be objective, even if you are doing positive things (like walking in the woods), see if there are aspects where you are not using your attention well. In all situations you have a choice for your attention. For example, you can be working for the environment but be doing it out of anger.

Impressions

When you put your attention on something you get an impression. Because you don't always remember to pay attention and get an impression, when you do it, really do it. For example, when you are sitting or attending class, for that hour really pay attention. Really learn to take impressions deeply, for example, really look at a person, not just their appearance but who they are.

There are three stages of sitting practice:

Juriki - where you develop the power of concentration. You develop a "muscle" inside your head. It gets stronger when worked.

Samadi/absorption - When you really pay attention to something. The observer loses themselves in the observed. We experience this in everyday life when we are absorbed in a movie. We want to learn to do it on purpose.

Realization - When you lose the self, know a thing completely/intimately by being it. What you know from the experience can be only roughly described - the experience comes from being, not from knowing.

By using attention and impression, you can experience things on a deeper level.

Different Enneagram types have different ways of paying attention: ones and four's attention is narrowly focused, sevens focus on everything at once.

Best to give attention to yourself. We all think we know what we want - it is bad to assume that. Daniel had two shocking experiences that taught him otherwise. First, when he was a young musician, everyone assumed you wanted to be a rock star - and he proceeded as if that was true, even if he wasn't aware of it. He was invited to a Pink Floyd concert and got to hang out with all the famous people like Andy Worhol. He found them to be the most miserable people he had ever met - he came home feeling very hollow.

A second experience is when his band played and they had lots of people attend - including recording executives. After the band finished playing the audience went wild and they did three encores. Daniel did not like the energy - it was so intense you would need to take drugs to stay high because afterwards life would seem so flat. After that Daniel only played in a studio.

Pay attention, what really gives you satisfaction? Don't just assume. Examine your life/work choices. One rock musician who seems like he is pulling it off is Mick Jagger.

We are told what we want - that we would like to have sex and money. People then tell you not to have sex and money - have it, get over it. Then use your money to listen to some nice music that wakes you up - have sex with someone you like.

We are not in the 9th century. Enlightenment is being one with this life, in this time - it is the only life that you can be one with.

This weeks assignment - note what you pay attention to

Reviewing Last Weeks Assignment of Noticing Negative Emotions

Fear

Don't try to figure out the "core" of the fear - just see it

Personality "stiffness" can be the result of years of subtle fear

Fear of public speaking is common, it is a result of "inner considering" - inside you care too much about what others think, which enslaves us - it is like they are inside of you.

If someone you know and love is anxiety producing (they are controlling/angry), be patient with others and work on yourself, When they trust you enough you can talk about it. Daniel loved his Mother but didn't like being around her and just avoided her.

Fear just limits us, doesn't do anything for us.

If you are very critical of yourself - it is fear-based - you don't like yourself; being afraid that others may not like you.

Anger

Often in relationships, everything that doesn't work is your partner's fault. Mazumi Roshi didn't care whether you stayed together in a relationship - he felt it was the fighting that was destructive. The person who is suppose to bring you pleasure - isn't. Fighting is the most mechanical thing in a relationship - think of bickering old couples. Anger is extremely rational, everything that happens is someone else's fault.

Do what everyone wants - live alone and have sex. The problem is we are blaming other people for the way we feel.

Daniel's pet peeve: Bruce Willis - he kills 1000 people and survives. It is about being right - that is why people like his movies. But moments will never come where others admit to being wrong. Your Mother has never said, "you are right, I am a pain in the ass." It will never happen.

Observing others helps you see yourself
