On Awareness-Proactivity and Unconsciousness-Ego-Reactivity...

[Aupmanyav]

Perhaps its a shame I hadn't gotten into acting when I was young and pretty... perhaps I missed my calling.

I sure would have liked to see you in place of Kate Winslet, but that life also has its own problems (although Kate has not been involved in any major controversy).

 

[JustGeorge]

I sure would have liked to see you in place of Kate Winslet, but that life also has its own problems

Yes, no life is without its issues.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Why did you act like a film star? You are not one. The best answer that I will suggest is this prayer (I may not be quotng the exact words) : "God give me strength to change what I can and accept that which I cannot change."

And the wisdom to know the difference.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Oh yeah, being an atheist, I do not know how to pray to any God.

 

[ajay0]

"Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. You don't have to be swept away by your feeling. You can respond with wisdom and kindness rather than habit and reactivity." ~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

It is common for us to react emotionally and instantly to sensory stimuli or our inner likes and dislikes, rather than consciously and patiently crafting a mature response instead.

This is due to the influence of our vasanas or past unconscious impressions which determine our likes and dislikes, amplified by habit as cravings and aversions at present.

Where there are cravings and aversions, there is no mental equanimity and awareness. Regression in one's professional and personal life, disharmony, crimes, conflict and war all stem from one's cravings and aversions which prompt an emotional reaction rather than a intelligent response.

Present moment awareness or mindfulness helps one to override any regressive emotional reaction, and instead respond with calmness and positivity. This brings about intelligent actions that create balance and overall progress in our lives.

 

[ajay0]

If you can reduce the power of reaction, You rise much higher. ~ Nirmala Devi

Through awareness and patience, by curbing the instinct to react mindlessly and responding intelligently instead, one can rise much higher in the spiritual and material dimensions of life.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Why did you act like a film star? You are not one. The best answer that I will suggest is this prayer (I may not be quotng the exact words) : "God give me strength to change what I can and accept that which I cannot change."

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

 

[RestlessSoul]

Oh yeah, being an atheist, I do not know how to pray to any God.

Of course you do. You just choose not to.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Of course you do. You just choose not to.

You are correct. At times, I was a (doubting) Thomas. Moreover, I am from a priestly family. I know about prayers and priests (and their motivations) a bit too clearly.

 

[RestlessSoul]

You are correct. At times, I was a (doubting) Thomas. Moreover, I am from a priestly family. I know about prayers and priests (and their motivations) a bit too clearly.

Ah, well, that explains a thing or two. Early exposure to priests and religious hierarchies, is often enough to put people off religion for life.

As for being a doubting Thomas, only a fool is without doubt.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Ah, well, that explains a thing or two. Early exposure to priests and religious hierarchies, is often enough to put people off religion for life.

Basically, it was my grandpa's fault. In spite of being orthodox brahmin (daily yajna/havan- fire-sacrifice), he accepted big bang, evolution, paleontology, continental shift and 92 elements and not the traditional 5. So, I went a few steps beyond of that.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Basically, it was my grandpa's fault. In spite of being orthodox brahmin (daily yajan/havan- fire-sacrifice), he accepted big bang, evolution, paleontology, continental shift and 92 elements and not the traditional 5. So, I went a few steps ahead of that.

Sounds like a wise man, your granddad