Question for Phoenix

[klowndog]

Phoenix, I am a fan of yours. I voted for you to be featred member(not just for nudes)! I am just wondering what the story is behind your signature quote. You are very intriguing, and I am just wondering what that means. I'm up for anything that makes me feel good.

 

[phoenix13]

Wow! Thanks for your kind words.

(and I hope people know the nudes were a joke)


The quote in my signature is from a book I borrowed from !berserker about Zen Buddhism and mediation. I have been reading about/studying Eastern philosophy, religion, and spiritual tradition for over 10 years. I found this book to present the concept of meditation in an easily accessible manner...kind of taking the woo woo esoteric illusion that can surround it. Don't get me wrong, I find things of esoteric nature very interesting and captivating, but it makes it hard for some people to apply certain practices/techniques in to every day practical use.

!b, feel free to chime in if I am remembering incorrectly.

The author (Steve Hagan) was journeying/walking with his mentor (Zen master/Buddhist teacher) who stopped as he stepped on a stone laid in the ground and said "Stone deep. Step. It feels good." It is so simple, so present, so profound. How often when we are standing do we not even feel the ground beneath our feet, the earth holding us, the stability always available? How often are we lost in our mind's activities, always searching, yearning, trying to get somewhere other than where we are? I am not saying one should give up trying to make progress or achieve things, or even to want and desire. But I do think that activity would be more effective and more enjoyable were it to come from a place of awareness of what IS in the moment, without fighting it b/c it is not something else. It's always in flux anyway. Surely one is more effective at influencing the direction of change from a place of groundedness.

Anyway. I have that quote written on my calendar and on a note in my kitchen to remind me to be present and aware as much as possible...it certainly makes my experience of life much more pleasant.

 

[klowndog]

Beautiful

Awesome. I got into Buddhism as well a couple of years ago, when I started yoga. Steve Hagan is cool, also Deepak Chopra is the shiznit. One of my favorite sayings was "Happiness is the journey, not the destination." To me that kind of helps me learn to appreciate and to utilize NOW every second I'm here. There really is no past or future, it is always right now. Take Care.

 

[Sassy]

Cool... Phoenix you've got groupies. lol

What you wrote is so true. There are so many days I feel like I'm on auto-pilot just trying to get through the day... especially when I've got that overwhelmed feeling. I try to go back to the old say, "one day at a time", so I don't feel so overwhelmed.

It seems like no matter how much you try to fight some situations they are just out of your control. I wished I could just learn not to worry over these things, because they always end up working out in the end.

 

[Shelby]

This is the book, if anyone's interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Meditation-No...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223052819&sr=8-1


And here's another good read on similar matters, but from a slightly more.. iconoclastic viewpoint:

http://www.amazon.com/Sit-Down-Shut...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223052974&sr=8-1

 

[Big Bapper]

Awesome. I got into Buddhism as well a couple of years ago, when I started yoga. Steve Hagan is cool, also Deepak Chopra is the shiznit. One of my favorite sayings was "Happiness is the journey, not the destination." To me that kind of helps me learn to appreciate and to utilize NOW every second I'm here. There really is no past or future, it is always right now. Take Care.

The power of now.

get a room BTW

Only joking bro, I think there is allot to be learnt from eastern philosophy, thanks for sharing.

 

[klowndog]

Thanks Big

Ain't it a trip!! I love it!!

 

[EVERLAST]

WHAT?????????????????

THE NUDES WERE JUST A JOKE??????????????????????
DAAAAAAAAAMN.....(sigh)

oh well....you are still the coolest girl.
Love that Zen vibe you got goin on too.

 

[phoenix13]

THE NUDES WERE JUST A JOKE??????????????????????
DAAAAAAAAAMN.....(sigh)

yes, and hindsight being 20/20, probably not a very good one

i realize now, that aside from the guys/gals who know my character, there was unlikely to have turned out well. i hope i didn't offend the other ladies that were nominated...that wasn't my intent.

live and learn

wishing you all a moment of zen

here

now

 

[klowndog]

wishing you all a moment of zen

here

now

Yep, got it! Thanks, you rock!

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! lol PEACE

 

[Sassy]

yes, and hindsight being 20/20, probably not a very good one

i realize now, that aside from the guys/gals who know my character, there was unlikely to have turned out well. i hope i didn't offend the other ladies that were nominated...that wasn't my intent.

live and learn

wishing you all a moment of zen

here

now

I don't think you offended anyone around here. You looked great and should be proud...

you're always a class act in my book!