Class notes  for 12/01/2009
 
Doen spoke via the internet from his new home in San Francisco.  We saw him and he could see us (16)!
He spoke to "mechanicalness" defined as not paying attention and behaving in a mechanical habitual way.  Old patterns. To avoid this behavior bring attention to what you are doing.  Add consciousness to daily life.
Consider the multiplicity of "I"s and how strongly we identify with each of them. We believe these various "I"s be be our true self.  These various "I"s include fear, discontent, irritability. Be aware which "I"s dominate.  See how we BELIEVE the fearful person is who we really are..
 
Make a map (for example in a journal) of the "I" that predominates. Who drives the ship (fear, anger).  "I" is a whole cluster of or complex (Carl Jung),a cluster of feelings.  Question who would be best to steer this ship. Consider the "I' that is committed to personal growth.  That person will have no qualities which allows for many options and many responses to each circumstance  Response in the moment rather that fall unconsciously into the mechanical patterns. Sitting will help us understand this experience.  Become more conscious.  Wake up.
 
The 4th way of objectivity and the Zen of no mind are important to cultivate to avoid our mechanical tendencies.  Look at the patterns that limit and make them more conscious  Be aware of the danger of acting mechanically.  These patterns get worse as we age and we become more stuck in our pattern of thoughts.  Exercises for improving awareness include journaling, sitting which can create space for looking objectively at the mechanical "I"s and working with a coach/teacher.  Be aware of the parade of puppets running the ship.  Be aware/ objective/conscious.  Growth and freedom of the 4th way.
 
Some response are very primitive (fear). They persist and become mechanical.  This is not good or bad.  Evolution and development give us more options.  Looking at the mechanical "I"s is an opportunity to expand and grow.
 
Doen signed off and Rebecca led the group in an exercise.
Sitting for 5 minutes each of us observed or prominent "I"s.
We then named some of these "I"s.
They included...controlling, lazy, people pleasing, peacemaker and avoider of conflict, judger of self and others,envy, impatient, curmudgeon, irritated by others behavior, passive-aggressive, fear, depression, victim, "slug"' perfectionist,insecure, doubtful, distracted from development, angry, fear of accomplishment of dream, the handler of responsibility, inner critic, self-protector,  insecure, no one really hears my needs, controler, gregarious, self-conscious, doesn't finish what he starts, profession "I:" focuses on details, look for outside opinions, fear of being diminished and not being respected, escape rather than deal with fear......
 
Consider what life would be like if that "I" didn't take over.  By being aware we can be flexible.
 
Business discussed included Jeff will send instructions for members to access archives, class notes, and internally shared resources.
Rebecca will e-mail daisan schedule.
