Lost Coin Class Notes - 9/28/2010

Doen spoke of "resetting" our mind-set.  Consider what our mind-set is and reset it
Our mind-set of worry is often present even when we sit.  The thoughts that distract (making lists of things to do, a deepening fear, impatience with sitting) during sitting can allow us to see our mind-set and reset.  Reset our tendency ( pattern) to feel bad about ourselves, blame others, etc.
Doen discussed exercises to reset.
1.   During our sitting practice we can see our auto pilot.  Learn to drop the thought.  Don't try to argue yourself out of the thought, we know how that doesn't work when we try to change another person by arguing with them.  Drop the habit mind set which was learned a long time ago.
2.   Is there really anything wrong with wanting to know more about our self?  Is there really anything with wanting material objects or experiences?
We are taught that desire is wrong.  What is in us is generally good, when individuals behave badly it is often the result of having been brutalized in the past or due to mental illness..
 
Buddha was interested in creating a culture of a "realized" self.. Not a religion.
People do not change as was once believed.  We do not change and neither does our...husband/wife/partner/parent/sibling/boss.  However we can become a better version of ourselves.  More alive,conscious, and mindful.  Ideas and Practice. Go deeper into ones self.  Drop beliefs and liberate energy.
 
Doen has been working on a mission statement for LCZ.
To educate people, to drop our criticism of our selves and others,
He spoke of the tennis pro Andre Agassi and his struggles with  belief in himself and his sport/life.
We practice as a group so we can become intimate with our world.
 
We spoke of "difficult" people in our lives.  They exist in the form of family, co-workers, and random
indiduals who cross   our   path.
Remember Zen practice, we gain nothing by attacking another.  We can go for the best cause and effect when interacting with a difficult person.
That may require timing interaction so that the waves of another behavior and temperament are intersected at a more opportune time in order to optimize the encounter.
 
We also discussed Second Life and the plan that we can gather on the site.. There are many groups that have a presence in SL including Stanford and IBM.  Art.  Music. 
 
Commitment, persistence, spirit.  Educating humans, coaching, excellence.
Why do individuals stay with a teacher?  Good connection,community, belief in development.  As Gurdjief discussed, our center of gravity is something in ourselves that makes us prioritize.  Cause and effect makes it possible to connect with a match (Karma).