Sitting with sadness

[Shonin Risa Bear]

I have SAD, and I have tried some of the schemes for dealing with it; the most effective strategy of late has been watching how amazingly kind to one another people are in the sanghas in which I participate. _()_

gassho
doyu sat today

[Meian]

I agree with Doyu's gentle observation here.

While I don't believe in making "New Year's Resolutions," I do often journal about goals and ideas to help myself focus. And I realized that some activities and interactions I am involved with (or may be) here at Treeleaf are life-changing for me. Not in a lightning bolt way, but in a life-altering 'navigating a ship' way.

It doesn't solve everything. Life is still life. Things are as they are. Nothing has changed, but it all is changing.

Gassho
Kim
St lh

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[Meitou]

Jundo,

In my early twenties, I fell into language teaching as a way of travelling a little. Then I met my (now) wife in China, realised that I loved teaching, and have thereby only rarely felt much desire to go "home" for more than a few weeks at a time - I last lived in the UK 16 years ago. What brought me specifically to Korea was simple career progression. I've lived in China, Oman, Malaysia, and now Korea, where I'm a professor of English Education.

I don't know much about your own experience of expat life, but you're definitely right about it being an adventure, and there have been lots of high points. But I think also that expat life tends to be a bit more intense than life closer to home. It's a wonderful learning experience, and making a life out of an unfamiliar cultural context is richly fulfilling. But there's also less of a support network, so low points can hit that little bit harder. Hence Treeleaf, I guess.

Gassho,

Peter





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Peter I'm also an immigrant, I came here to Sardinia from Italy in 2002. I don't suffer from SAD, the light is beautiful and plenty here, but I am a naturally melancholic person and have nearly always felt very unhappy over the Christmas and New Year period. This is a mixture of sad memories of difficult Christmases in the past and missing family, language and country.
I've cried on the cushion, I can remember once crying for the entire 60 minutes of an online sitting (with a previous Sangha), but I was fine afterwards because I'd allowed all the suffering I felt to flow out like a river. Perhaps it's self indulgent, I don't know, but I find turning toward deeply felt sadness and allowing it to run its course very cleansing and a huge relief.
I know also that unhappiness, like every emotion, is impermanent and will pass.
Life as an immigrant isn't always easy, but it's really insightful and teaches us to view the plight of refugees and immigrants far less fortunate than ourselves with compassion born out of our own experiences.
I hope you find yourself in a better place now - and getting a dog is a great way to make a commitment to being where you are. Wishing you a bright new year.
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

[Getchi]

Im just me, stuck right here. BUT

"get your darn ass up off the cushion and go be with some friends, - [Q]JUNDO[/q}

Im not giving details, but by God, the ppl near me are facing death AND living in sin (for the NON-usa types )

They are also giving gifts of life and (unique to our-humn-self) TIME.

Please take the time, beyond now, even through tomorrow.

It might sound silly, but im in a fire ravaged village, and it helpef me!


SatToday
LaH

[pthwaites]

Thanks again to everyone reading and responding, for your kindness and empathy. Christmas has passed and balance has returned. It really is just a very emotional time of the year for me. I'm very grateful for the care offered by the sangha - so many helpful words.

Gassho,

Sat today

Peter

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