My best friend once attended a zen retreat in a sparse buiding in the mountains. It was cold. For seven days he sat with about eight other men cross legged. Sounds pretty horrible - but he was glad he went.
About half way through the experience the instructor slapped the floor and yelled, "Wake up!"
I think that might work. Sit in a cold, empty wooden building in an uncomfortable position for 3? days and have your teacher scream at you to wake up! It might shake me out of a trance and help me get here and now in a deep way.
But, I prefer to forego the pain and suffering. Let's just see right now if we can get more present. Imagine that you were my best friend. What would you get out of it? Where do you need to wake up in life? Throw off the cobwebs and show up?
Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.
- Frank Herbert
|
