This is only a brief except from the New York Times that I happen to have read today.
Very interesting point from a religious point of view.
Many of us have a long tendency of boasting the superiority of one's own beliefs and downplaying those of others. I hope this particular article could shed some light on our relative narrow minds.
_________________________________________
By PETER STEINFELS
Published: October 9, 2009
Five decades ago, Paul F. Knitter, then a novice studying to become a Roman Catholic priest, would be in the seminary chapel at 5:30 every morning, trying to stay awake and spend time in meditation before Mass.
Last Wednesday, at the same hour, he was sitting on his Zen cushion meditating in the Claremont Avenue apartment he occupies as the Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theological Seminary in New York.
A few hours later he was talking about his pointedly titled new book, “Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian” (Oneworld). The book is the outcome of decades of encounters with Buddhism — and of struggles with his own faith.
Born in 1939, Mr. Knitter began his path to the Catholic priesthood at age 13, studied theology in Rome during the years of the Second Vatican Council, was ordained in 1966, completed a doctorate in Germany and began a long and influential career as a scholar addressing questions of the relationship between Christianity and other world religions.
He received permission to leave the priesthood in 1975, taught for many years at Xavier University in Cincinnati and after his retirement was invited to Union Theological.
“Am I still a Christian?” he asks in his new book. It is a question posed over the years by others, including some unhappy officials in the Vatican. But the question, he writes, is also “one I have felt in my own mind and heart.”
“Has my dialogue with Buddhism made me a Buddhist Christian?” he writes. “Or a Christian Buddhist? Am I a Christian who has understood his own identity more deeply with the help of Buddhism? Or have I become a Buddhist who still retains a stock of Christian leftovers.” (more details can be obtained from NYT)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Giving
And we think that "giving" is for those seeking a good future life to practice occasionally. Doctors are already using it for treatment purposes. Specifically, it treats physical symptoms by taking care of the patient's mentality via enhancing the person's meaning of life.
Published in Nov. 30, 2oo9 by the New York Times, a recent article described a female was treated after weeks of fatigue, insomnia, pain and preoccupation with her symptoms, by a very unusual prescription: gave a gift a day for 29 days — things like making supportive phone calls or saving a piece of chocolate cake for her husband. She detailed all the experiences in her new book: “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life” (Da Capo Press).
Oftentimes, I came across Buddhists that appear to be committed to the intellectual teachings of Buddhism yet fail to appreciate another even more crucial aspect: to practice the teachings in their everyday life. Giving apparently falls in this category. It is attainable rather easily. Yet, we often downplay the importance of seemingly easy matters.
I urge everyone in this Happy Academy to read that article, ponder upon the idea and get going do something similar.
Published in Nov. 30, 2oo9 by the New York Times, a recent article described a female was treated after weeks of fatigue, insomnia, pain and preoccupation with her symptoms, by a very unusual prescription: gave a gift a day for 29 days — things like making supportive phone calls or saving a piece of chocolate cake for her husband. She detailed all the experiences in her new book: “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life” (Da Capo Press).
Oftentimes, I came across Buddhists that appear to be committed to the intellectual teachings of Buddhism yet fail to appreciate another even more crucial aspect: to practice the teachings in their everyday life. Giving apparently falls in this category. It is attainable rather easily. Yet, we often downplay the importance of seemingly easy matters.
I urge everyone in this Happy Academy to read that article, ponder upon the idea and get going do something similar.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
''Time in the O.R.,is not work; it's play.''
I came across an article written by a surgeon recently published in the New York Times. It urged doctors to practice medicine and mindfulness so as to improve the very vital relationship between patients and doctors and the doctor's own well-being.
The article cited a recent study:
"...The Journal of the American Medical Association published the results of a study examining the effects of a yearlong course for primary-care physicians on mindfulness -- the ability to be present in the moment, purposefully and without judgment, in just the way my former mentor often described his experiences in the operating room.
Seventy physicians enrolled and participated in the four components of the course: meditation, writing sessions, discussions and lectures on topics like self-care, managing conflict and setting boundaries.
The results were remarkable. The doctors became more mindful, less burned out and less emotionally exhausted; several of the improvements persisted after the course ended. And those changes correlated with a significant increase in empathy and other attributes that contribute to patient-centered care."
One solution of dealing with risings demands on doctors, according to the article author Dr. Pauline W. Chen, may be is to train them to think about their work in a different way because it is far less likely to change those external demands.
What a striking message for all of us meditation practitioners! A bit more mindfulness, in the sense of looking inward and change your view of the matter at hand instead of try to change the matter per se, is the beginning of liberation. In the end, it is the liberation.
The article cited a recent study:
"...The Journal of the American Medical Association published the results of a study examining the effects of a yearlong course for primary-care physicians on mindfulness -- the ability to be present in the moment, purposefully and without judgment, in just the way my former mentor often described his experiences in the operating room.
Seventy physicians enrolled and participated in the four components of the course: meditation, writing sessions, discussions and lectures on topics like self-care, managing conflict and setting boundaries.
The results were remarkable. The doctors became more mindful, less burned out and less emotionally exhausted; several of the improvements persisted after the course ended. And those changes correlated with a significant increase in empathy and other attributes that contribute to patient-centered care."
One solution of dealing with risings demands on doctors, according to the article author Dr. Pauline W. Chen, may be is to train them to think about their work in a different way because it is far less likely to change those external demands.
What a striking message for all of us meditation practitioners! A bit more mindfulness, in the sense of looking inward and change your view of the matter at hand instead of try to change the matter per se, is the beginning of liberation. In the end, it is the liberation.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Call it meditation
What would you do?
I am living now in a remote small town, close to a small private university.
Renting a small apartment, which is really quiet and peaceful in the neighborhood, I thought I have found a heaven for meditation. That is, I thought so until three days ago.
Two college kids moved into my next door apartment. It is a duplex, so there are just one drywall away from me. I saw the guy moving a huge woofer and an electronic guitar into the house. My heart started to feel heavy and stomach sinking.
The first night was all right. They were not in. The next day, more stuffs moved in by three different groups of people.
Last night, my nightmare has come true. The super base of their game machine dutifully sent over my most hated noise. My heart beat increased and blood pressure raised. I struggled for two hours. The sound just won't stop. Finally, I decided to simply lie on bed and turn on the very noisy fan to cover up that base. Still, I couldn't have my peace of mind. Illusion or not, I could still hear them. In fact, I was expecting them, reaching my ears all way out to search for them.
Then, all of a sudden, I laughed at my own foolishness. With such intense expectations, I would have noticed some of the originally noises to bother myself. Why would anyone want to do this to torture himself?
But then, people do foolish things all the time. I guess this is meant to be a test for my meditation lessons. So, we'll see. Like I said last time: the self is the beginning point.
I am living now in a remote small town, close to a small private university.
Renting a small apartment, which is really quiet and peaceful in the neighborhood, I thought I have found a heaven for meditation. That is, I thought so until three days ago.
Two college kids moved into my next door apartment. It is a duplex, so there are just one drywall away from me. I saw the guy moving a huge woofer and an electronic guitar into the house. My heart started to feel heavy and stomach sinking.
The first night was all right. They were not in. The next day, more stuffs moved in by three different groups of people.
Last night, my nightmare has come true. The super base of their game machine dutifully sent over my most hated noise. My heart beat increased and blood pressure raised. I struggled for two hours. The sound just won't stop. Finally, I decided to simply lie on bed and turn on the very noisy fan to cover up that base. Still, I couldn't have my peace of mind. Illusion or not, I could still hear them. In fact, I was expecting them, reaching my ears all way out to search for them.
Then, all of a sudden, I laughed at my own foolishness. With such intense expectations, I would have noticed some of the originally noises to bother myself. Why would anyone want to do this to torture himself?
But then, people do foolish things all the time. I guess this is meant to be a test for my meditation lessons. So, we'll see. Like I said last time: the self is the beginning point.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Self is the beginning
I'd like to share with my fellow practitioners of "happiness" the following paragraphs from THERAVADA BUDDHISM:
"In the Buddha’s view, both idealism and materialism, though theoretically opposed,converge both in their starting-point and in their goal, for “self is their beginning and satisfaction their end.” Between these two extremes, therefore, of materialistic self-indulgence and idealistic self-denial (not as a comprise, but, “avoiding both”), the Buddha formulated the Middle Way, “the way of knowledge and wisdom,” not in the wavering of speculation, or in the excitement of discussion, but “in tranquillity of mind and penetrative insight, leading to enlightenment and
deliverance, enlightenment with regard to the real nature of things and deliverance from suffering and its cause.”
For years, I have been trying to explain the idea of the "middle way" to English speakers. Often, my interpretation was not very convincing or interesting to them. The above paragraph struck me all of a sudden. The very reason why my interpretation could not interest them,in addition to my incompetence of course, is the the American society is so individualistic and competitive that people feel the "middle way" goes against their second nature, the socialized self-centered nature.
Having understood that, I have also come to realize more why Buddhism is something to be practiced rather than preached. Only those who start to look seriously at the crux of the "self" issue through adjusting their way of thinking and acting can gradually comprehend the "middle way."
"In the Buddha’s view, both idealism and materialism, though theoretically opposed,converge both in their starting-point and in their goal, for “self is their beginning and satisfaction their end.” Between these two extremes, therefore, of materialistic self-indulgence and idealistic self-denial (not as a comprise, but, “avoiding both”), the Buddha formulated the Middle Way, “the way of knowledge and wisdom,” not in the wavering of speculation, or in the excitement of discussion, but “in tranquillity of mind and penetrative insight, leading to enlightenment and
deliverance, enlightenment with regard to the real nature of things and deliverance from suffering and its cause.”
For years, I have been trying to explain the idea of the "middle way" to English speakers. Often, my interpretation was not very convincing or interesting to them. The above paragraph struck me all of a sudden. The very reason why my interpretation could not interest them,in addition to my incompetence of course, is the the American society is so individualistic and competitive that people feel the "middle way" goes against their second nature, the socialized self-centered nature.
Having understood that, I have also come to realize more why Buddhism is something to be practiced rather than preached. Only those who start to look seriously at the crux of the "self" issue through adjusting their way of thinking and acting can gradually comprehend the "middle way."
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The docter is within
I came across an article by Pico Iyer (New York Times, July 22, 2009) that described how and when he met with the 14th Dalai Lama, and some very intriguing ideas proposed by the latter.
This is what Pico Iyer cited from the Dalai Lama:
"“Dream — nothing!” is one of the many things I’ve heard the 14th Dalai Lama say to large audiences that seem to startle the unprepared. Just before I began an onstage conversation with him at New York Town’s Hall this spring, he told me, “If I had magical powers, I’d never need an operation!” and broke into guffaws as he thought of the three-hour gallbladder operation he’d been through last October, weeks after being in hospital for another ailment. For a Buddhist, after all, our power lies nowhere but ourselves.
We can’t change the world except insofar as we change the way we look at the world — and, in fact, any one of us can make that change, in any direction, at any moment. The point of life, in the view of the Dalai Lama, is happiness, and that lies within our grasp, our untapped potential, with every breath."
Whether this is realistic and practical to any one of you is a question open for debate. For those of you who have tried hard to seek happiness within, I gather, the statement is realistic and practical.
Here is the hyperlink of the original article: http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/the-doctor-is-within/.
This is what Pico Iyer cited from the Dalai Lama:
"“Dream — nothing!” is one of the many things I’ve heard the 14th Dalai Lama say to large audiences that seem to startle the unprepared. Just before I began an onstage conversation with him at New York Town’s Hall this spring, he told me, “If I had magical powers, I’d never need an operation!” and broke into guffaws as he thought of the three-hour gallbladder operation he’d been through last October, weeks after being in hospital for another ailment. For a Buddhist, after all, our power lies nowhere but ourselves.
We can’t change the world except insofar as we change the way we look at the world — and, in fact, any one of us can make that change, in any direction, at any moment. The point of life, in the view of the Dalai Lama, is happiness, and that lies within our grasp, our untapped potential, with every breath."
Whether this is realistic and practical to any one of you is a question open for debate. For those of you who have tried hard to seek happiness within, I gather, the statement is realistic and practical.
Here is the hyperlink of the original article: http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/the-doctor-is-within/.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
News
Two major developments concerning the ELEAD have occurred during the past month:
1. Our organization, ELEAD, has acquired federal and state of California approval as a non-profit educational organization and can now start promoting our agenda using the official titles. After two years of preparation, and with invaluable assistance from a few key supporters of ELEAD, this was a real exciting news for us all!
2. On the other hand, our spiritual leader Ven. ZhiZhong was nearly invisible during the past month due to a very serious health condition. Specifically, he laid unconscious for almost a month. Luckily, for him and for the rest of us, he is back now. Let's look forward to a grand opening of the ELEAD during the 2009 summer!
1. Our organization, ELEAD, has acquired federal and state of California approval as a non-profit educational organization and can now start promoting our agenda using the official titles. After two years of preparation, and with invaluable assistance from a few key supporters of ELEAD, this was a real exciting news for us all!
2. On the other hand, our spiritual leader Ven. ZhiZhong was nearly invisible during the past month due to a very serious health condition. Specifically, he laid unconscious for almost a month. Luckily, for him and for the rest of us, he is back now. Let's look forward to a grand opening of the ELEAD during the 2009 summer!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fortunateness
What is good fortune?
Having time to read is good fortune; be able to support other people is good fortune; published something that helped formulating the grand scheme for a better world is good fortune; never having to hear about meaningless gossips is good fortune; being healthy is good fortune; never having to worry about mundane affairs is good fortune; never having to suffer from famine and war is good fortune; live a simple and peaceful life is good fortune.
Some Buddhists are dedicated in engaging themselves in something that may reward them with huge good fortunes. We need to ask the question: is this desirable? The question actually pinpoints what is particularly difficult when you try to practice the Bodhisattva way of living. You cannot practice the Bodhisattva way without the help of some fortunes. Nevertheless: “rather be a (wise) Arahant that holds an empty bowl than being an (ignorant) elephant that wears jewels.”
One becomes greedy if he/she keeps on pursuing good fortunes. As such, he/she lacks wisdom and becomes an animal in the future lives, being an elephant. People will decorate the elephant with jewels and offer it plenty of food. The animal will never have to worry about being hungry. This is fortunate and rare. On the other hand, one can also pursue wisdom only, eventually becomes an Arahant, which is also rare, but ends up suffering from constant hunger because he/she never took the trouble to cultivate his/her own fortunes.
In the mundane world, people with wealth and power are admired. This actually may become an obstacle for that person’s spiritual pursuit. You always get your way and get what you want. Eventually, you become an insatiable person and suffer more from your own good fortunes. The less fortunate people would have to deal more often with their difficult daily lives. Subsequently, they become more keenly aware the origins of dukka, hence acquire better improvement in their spiritual practices.
To be a wise Buddhist, you need to learn the proper to utilize your fortune, also the proper way to mend your unfortunateness. The genuine fortune for a practitioner of Buddhism is plainly to live a simple and peaceful life.
Having time to read is good fortune; be able to support other people is good fortune; published something that helped formulating the grand scheme for a better world is good fortune; never having to hear about meaningless gossips is good fortune; being healthy is good fortune; never having to worry about mundane affairs is good fortune; never having to suffer from famine and war is good fortune; live a simple and peaceful life is good fortune.
Some Buddhists are dedicated in engaging themselves in something that may reward them with huge good fortunes. We need to ask the question: is this desirable? The question actually pinpoints what is particularly difficult when you try to practice the Bodhisattva way of living. You cannot practice the Bodhisattva way without the help of some fortunes. Nevertheless: “rather be a (wise) Arahant that holds an empty bowl than being an (ignorant) elephant that wears jewels.”
One becomes greedy if he/she keeps on pursuing good fortunes. As such, he/she lacks wisdom and becomes an animal in the future lives, being an elephant. People will decorate the elephant with jewels and offer it plenty of food. The animal will never have to worry about being hungry. This is fortunate and rare. On the other hand, one can also pursue wisdom only, eventually becomes an Arahant, which is also rare, but ends up suffering from constant hunger because he/she never took the trouble to cultivate his/her own fortunes.
In the mundane world, people with wealth and power are admired. This actually may become an obstacle for that person’s spiritual pursuit. You always get your way and get what you want. Eventually, you become an insatiable person and suffer more from your own good fortunes. The less fortunate people would have to deal more often with their difficult daily lives. Subsequently, they become more keenly aware the origins of dukka, hence acquire better improvement in their spiritual practices.
To be a wise Buddhist, you need to learn the proper to utilize your fortune, also the proper way to mend your unfortunateness. The genuine fortune for a practitioner of Buddhism is plainly to live a simple and peaceful life.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Metta
With just a blink, we are already looking at the end of February. So, how have you improved yourself, my fellow practitioners of Buddihism?
Some of my friends recently took part in a three-day retreat, practicing the Metta meditation. All of the them learned a lot. Yet, some linguistic problem troubles them.
The Pali word 'Metta' is commonly translated in English as 'loving-kindness.' That can be very misleading. In the English language, the term "love" really indicates "attachment" which is exactly what the Metta meditation tries to eradicate, or help the practitioners to eradicate for themselves.
Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Metta is in fact a very specific form of love -- a caring for another independent of all self-interest -- and thus is likened to one's love for one's child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe with words; however, in the practice of Metta meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this "boundless warm-hearted feeling." The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Indeed, Metta is a tool that permits one's generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person's happiness, no matter who the individual is.
Well, if you have followed what I just explained, keep these things in mind:
1. May I be safe and protected.
2. May I be peaceful and happy.
3. May I be healthy and strong.
4. May I have ease of well being (and accept all the conditions of the world)
then extend these phrases to a beneficiary. (details of how this is practiced can be found on the internet. but I would encourage you to seek for formal instructions) Oftentimes when you experienced obstacles in doing meditation, it was because your lack of metta. Make a try. You might be benefited.
Some of my friends recently took part in a three-day retreat, practicing the Metta meditation. All of the them learned a lot. Yet, some linguistic problem troubles them.
The Pali word 'Metta' is commonly translated in English as 'loving-kindness.' That can be very misleading. In the English language, the term "love" really indicates "attachment" which is exactly what the Metta meditation tries to eradicate, or help the practitioners to eradicate for themselves.
Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Metta is in fact a very specific form of love -- a caring for another independent of all self-interest -- and thus is likened to one's love for one's child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe with words; however, in the practice of Metta meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this "boundless warm-hearted feeling." The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Indeed, Metta is a tool that permits one's generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person's happiness, no matter who the individual is.
Well, if you have followed what I just explained, keep these things in mind:
1. May I be safe and protected.
2. May I be peaceful and happy.
3. May I be healthy and strong.
4. May I have ease of well being (and accept all the conditions of the world)
then extend these phrases to a beneficiary. (details of how this is practiced can be found on the internet. but I would encourage you to seek for formal instructions) Oftentimes when you experienced obstacles in doing meditation, it was because your lack of metta. Make a try. You might be benefited.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Year, new everything?
Well, here we are in 2009, with all those negative and horrible predictions about human future lingering around. Does it make us even happier? Does it help us achieving happiness, to think in an alternative way? Or, rather, does it matter at all in our pursuit of happiness?
I feel obliged to choose the last scenario. And I don't feel alone in making that choice.
Recently, I have come across a forwarded e-mail message originally posted by a guy named Franz. He had a similar viewpoint and had it well put as follows:
From Franz:
Last Sunday we discussed the contributing factors of success, drawing
ideas from two new books.
[1] Geoff Colvin's "Talent is Overrated"
Here's what most readers got from his book: (I have not read the book yet)
· Talent is overrated if it is perceived to be the most important factor. It isn't. Talent does not exist unless and until it is developed...and the only way to develop it is Deliberate Practice.
· Deliberate Practice contains the following components:
q It is designed specifically to improve performance
q Requires building up abilities through countless repetitions regardless of how you feel about doing it at any given time.
q It is highly demanding mentally - requires the ability to focus on the practice and practice correctly.
q Requires tenacity. Keep it up for extremely long periods of time.
q Ten years of consistent deliberate effort is required to be outstanding in your field. Researchers have refined their estimate with a figure of 10,000 hours.
q Deliberate Practice is hard and not particularly enjoyable because it means you are focusing on improving areas that are not satisfactory. Examine your weakness. Face your own demons.
q The necessity of constructive feedback and support system, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation/validation, and the multiplier effect (small success encourages you to work for still more success, makes the work of digging deeper enjoyable).
· "Where does the passion for such practice come from?"
· What do you really want? And what do you really believe?
· What you really really want is fundamental because Deliberate
Practice is a heavy investment. Great achievement has a high price, a price most people are not willing to pay.
· The effect of Deliberate Practice is cumulative.
· Starting at an early age will lead to an advantage over someone who started later.
· There are lots of people who practice all the time. And they never get very good. Why? Because they are not practicing properly.
Try to figure out what it would take to excel at it. Get expert advice.
[2] Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
Malcolm Gladwell covered many ideas in his book, but here are some key
points: (Again I have only read excerpts.)
10,000 hour rule - It takes a lot of time to become really proficient in anything. Studies have shown that there is a 10 year and/or 10,000 hour rule to reach this stage.
IQ is just a threshold - High IQs are not necessarily a good predictor of success. You only need to be 'smart enough' to be able to succeed.
Meaningful work (as defined by having some autonomous control, challenges and a clear idea of effort-reward) is critical to success.
"Luck" matter - external circumstances, people, time & place, plays a key role
Social heritance - Cultural legacies and traditions are powerful forces
Two recent examples of successful people illustrate different aspects of success:
[A] Michael Phelps is the best Olympic Swimmer in history.
Numerous articles and TV interviews have discussed Michael Phelps'
grueling training regime. For example:
http://munfitnessblog.com/how-michael-phelps-managed-to-break-so-many-swimming-world-records-one-after-another/
http://ezinearticles.com/?So-How-Long-Has-Michael-Phelps-Been-Training-to-Be-a-Champion?&id=1460157
His success is much more than just the gold medals. Here is where I
think he truly shines:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18725-2004Aug20.html
[B] The second example is how a 15-year old boy was able to shut down the communication systems of technology giants such as Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, CNN and other major corporations.
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/09/46791
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=854375
Mafiaboy illustrates that passion-driven excellence can be destructive if it is not based on strong ethics!
To Buddhists, here are my reflections:
Success to Buddhists means Perfect Happiness - "total cessation of suffering". This means Nirvana. Don't forget it. This is the motivator.
Happiness for Buddhists comes from within, not from outside. Pleasure of sensory experiences come and go, always carries potential downside risks such as addictions, withdrawals, loss and grief. Unfortunately this is human being's normal perception of happiness. Our life-energy is restless, pushing and pulling, vacillating, always out of balance and out of control. These are the source of unhappiness.
Aim for stillness in mind and body, true happiness resides in serenity. Meditation is the only training that can get you there. Start early means don't wait for retirement or getting wealthy to start practice.
No such thing as a bad meditation session since the effect of practice is cumulative, learn and improve from each session. Important to get superior teachers and learn to practice correctly - improper practices get you nowhere fast.
Always pay attention to the Golden Rule: do not cause harm or hurt to yourself or other people. Dedicated practice without strong ethics will make you the Mafiaboy! Therefore no pain no gain is nonsense. The practice might need effort, but unlike what Colvin said, it need not be painful. In fact, correct Buddhist meditation must be accompanied by increasing joy, rapture and happiness.
To put in 10,000 hours means CUT OUT unimportant time-wasters. At first it can be unpleasant - watch out for withdrawal symptoms. Do the math; how many hours of meditation can you put in? Some meditation teacher advise one hour in the morning, another hour in the evening, plus a long intensive retreat once a year. Let say we take no vacation at all: (355 x 2) + (10 x 9 ) hours per year = (710 + 90)
hours per year = 800 hours per year; 10,000 / 800 = 12.5 years. Count on putting in 13 years of serious steady practice to reach proficiency.
Start early: take Dalai Lama for example - he started as a child. Each day he gets up at 3:30 am, meditate for 4-5 hours. Let's say 4 hours per day. (10000 / (4 x 365)) = 6.85 years. This means the diligent monks could master the skill in 7 years.
No wonder the Buddha made this proclamation in the Satipatthana Sutta - (isn't it interesting!):
§ At the conclusion of the sutta, the Buddha proclaimed:
"Now, if anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven years, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return "Let alone seven years. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for six years... five... four... three... two years... one year... seven months... six months... five... four...three... two months... one month... half a month, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there
be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"Let alone half a month. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven days, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"'This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow & lamentation, for the disappearance of pain & distress, for the attainment of the right method, & for the realization of Unbinding - in other words, the four frames of reference.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said."
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, the monks delighted in the Blessed One's words.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html
Our talent is from our past karma. We all have a beginning-less history to answer to. The cumulative effect from past lives are considerable, so don't discount the effect of born talent. If you have practiced diligently in many past lives, you might be able to have "faster" results. Remember the practices are cumulative (if done properly). If you had bad practice habits, you might need more time to correct them! However, the past is done and nothing can change it.
More important is to practice NOW. ~~ end of quotation...
I would like to share that with you practitioners. Thank you, Franz!
With Metta, Franz
I feel obliged to choose the last scenario. And I don't feel alone in making that choice.
Recently, I have come across a forwarded e-mail message originally posted by a guy named Franz. He had a similar viewpoint and had it well put as follows:
From Franz:
Last Sunday we discussed the contributing factors of success, drawing
ideas from two new books.
[1] Geoff Colvin's "Talent is Overrated"
Here's what most readers got from his book: (I have not read the book yet)
· Talent is overrated if it is perceived to be the most important factor. It isn't. Talent does not exist unless and until it is developed...and the only way to develop it is Deliberate Practice.
· Deliberate Practice contains the following components:
q It is designed specifically to improve performance
q Requires building up abilities through countless repetitions regardless of how you feel about doing it at any given time.
q It is highly demanding mentally - requires the ability to focus on the practice and practice correctly.
q Requires tenacity. Keep it up for extremely long periods of time.
q Ten years of consistent deliberate effort is required to be outstanding in your field. Researchers have refined their estimate with a figure of 10,000 hours.
q Deliberate Practice is hard and not particularly enjoyable because it means you are focusing on improving areas that are not satisfactory. Examine your weakness. Face your own demons.
q The necessity of constructive feedback and support system, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation/validation, and the multiplier effect (small success encourages you to work for still more success, makes the work of digging deeper enjoyable).
· "Where does the passion for such practice come from?"
· What do you really want? And what do you really believe?
· What you really really want is fundamental because Deliberate
Practice is a heavy investment. Great achievement has a high price, a price most people are not willing to pay.
· The effect of Deliberate Practice is cumulative.
· Starting at an early age will lead to an advantage over someone who started later.
· There are lots of people who practice all the time. And they never get very good. Why? Because they are not practicing properly.
Try to figure out what it would take to excel at it. Get expert advice.
[2] Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
Malcolm Gladwell covered many ideas in his book, but here are some key
points: (Again I have only read excerpts.)
10,000 hour rule - It takes a lot of time to become really proficient in anything. Studies have shown that there is a 10 year and/or 10,000 hour rule to reach this stage.
IQ is just a threshold - High IQs are not necessarily a good predictor of success. You only need to be 'smart enough' to be able to succeed.
Meaningful work (as defined by having some autonomous control, challenges and a clear idea of effort-reward) is critical to success.
"Luck" matter - external circumstances, people, time & place, plays a key role
Social heritance - Cultural legacies and traditions are powerful forces
Two recent examples of successful people illustrate different aspects of success:
[A] Michael Phelps is the best Olympic Swimmer in history.
Numerous articles and TV interviews have discussed Michael Phelps'
grueling training regime. For example:
http://munfitnessblog.com/how-michael-phelps-managed-to-break-so-many-swimming-world-records-one-after-another/
http://ezinearticles.com/?So-How-Long-Has-Michael-Phelps-Been-Training-to-Be-a-Champion?&id=1460157
His success is much more than just the gold medals. Here is where I
think he truly shines:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18725-2004Aug20.html
[B] The second example is how a 15-year old boy was able to shut down the communication systems of technology giants such as Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, CNN and other major corporations.
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/09/46791
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=854375
Mafiaboy illustrates that passion-driven excellence can be destructive if it is not based on strong ethics!
To Buddhists, here are my reflections:
Success to Buddhists means Perfect Happiness - "total cessation of suffering". This means Nirvana. Don't forget it. This is the motivator.
Happiness for Buddhists comes from within, not from outside. Pleasure of sensory experiences come and go, always carries potential downside risks such as addictions, withdrawals, loss and grief. Unfortunately this is human being's normal perception of happiness. Our life-energy is restless, pushing and pulling, vacillating, always out of balance and out of control. These are the source of unhappiness.
Aim for stillness in mind and body, true happiness resides in serenity. Meditation is the only training that can get you there. Start early means don't wait for retirement or getting wealthy to start practice.
No such thing as a bad meditation session since the effect of practice is cumulative, learn and improve from each session. Important to get superior teachers and learn to practice correctly - improper practices get you nowhere fast.
Always pay attention to the Golden Rule: do not cause harm or hurt to yourself or other people. Dedicated practice without strong ethics will make you the Mafiaboy! Therefore no pain no gain is nonsense. The practice might need effort, but unlike what Colvin said, it need not be painful. In fact, correct Buddhist meditation must be accompanied by increasing joy, rapture and happiness.
To put in 10,000 hours means CUT OUT unimportant time-wasters. At first it can be unpleasant - watch out for withdrawal symptoms. Do the math; how many hours of meditation can you put in? Some meditation teacher advise one hour in the morning, another hour in the evening, plus a long intensive retreat once a year. Let say we take no vacation at all: (355 x 2) + (10 x 9 ) hours per year = (710 + 90)
hours per year = 800 hours per year; 10,000 / 800 = 12.5 years. Count on putting in 13 years of serious steady practice to reach proficiency.
Start early: take Dalai Lama for example - he started as a child. Each day he gets up at 3:30 am, meditate for 4-5 hours. Let's say 4 hours per day. (10000 / (4 x 365)) = 6.85 years. This means the diligent monks could master the skill in 7 years.
No wonder the Buddha made this proclamation in the Satipatthana Sutta - (isn't it interesting!):
§ At the conclusion of the sutta, the Buddha proclaimed:
"Now, if anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven years, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return "Let alone seven years. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for six years... five... four... three... two years... one year... seven months... six months... five... four...three... two months... one month... half a month, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there
be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"Let alone half a month. If anyone would develop these four frames of reference in this way for seven days, one of two fruits can be expected for him: either gnosis right here & now, or - if there be any remnant of clinging/sustenance - non-return.
"'This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow & lamentation, for the disappearance of pain & distress, for the attainment of the right method, & for the realization of Unbinding - in other words, the four frames of reference.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said."
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, the monks delighted in the Blessed One's words.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html
Our talent is from our past karma. We all have a beginning-less history to answer to. The cumulative effect from past lives are considerable, so don't discount the effect of born talent. If you have practiced diligently in many past lives, you might be able to have "faster" results. Remember the practices are cumulative (if done properly). If you had bad practice habits, you might need more time to correct them! However, the past is done and nothing can change it.
More important is to practice NOW. ~~ end of quotation...
I would like to share that with you practitioners. Thank you, Franz!
With Metta, Franz
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