The Fear of Letting Go (Pt. 1)
It is so easy to misunderstand our form of practice as just learning to be still and silent of mind and then expect wisdom to arise from this state. If your understanding of the training is along these lines then this is a misunderstanding and a grave error. You certainly needs stillness as a basic foundation and platform for wisdom but to really liberated what is your inherent wisdom requires commitment to change your stream of habitual attachments, through observation, investigation and restraint, all through practice within the four postures. These three talks highlight the need to be careful of retreating into your comfort zone that stillness can encourage but challenge this danger by willingly engaging with the whole of life.
Comments:
This talk really hits home, pointing at the essence of our self-made world, i.e. fear, and how we work so hard to protect ourselves. I am starting to recognise my own fears, limitations, and self-imprisonment, but how to find the strength and commitment to release the barriers and operate from a new centre of openness? A direct and inspiring talk.
A wonderful challenging talk. Anyone who may have been led to believe that this practise of ‘no practise’ is therefore to suggest that the ‘practise’ is a quietistic one would be well advised to watch this video. Here Aloka reminds us that whilst there maybe some focus on meditation and the cultivation of stillness, this is essentially only to create the appropriate environment to explore and challenge our attachments. Basically going on to say, simply substituting one attachment for other ones is not sufficient. And recommending instead we say NO to our habitual tendencies to defend these attachments. Which will no doubt bring up some challenging emotions to bear with, but also ‘material’ to investiage and explore further. This Aloka seems to suggest, is where the practise of ‘doing nothing’ really begins!
I think this is a very strong talk. Aloka begins by laying out the nature of stillness and its importance but also stresses that it is only the foundation for really getting to know yourself. He encourages us not to get stuck or comfortable in this stage.