Enjoying problems

[Tom A.]

I heard someone say, “The real problem is expecting that problems won’t arise.” When I expect to have rocks or boulders in my path then day to day problems are sometimes still painful, sometimes still excruciating but become non-rocks non-boulders, boulders and rocks. What I mean by that is that it becomes okay to work on problems and not have to be greedy for an instant solution, there is peace and even from time to time, enjoyment from working because the present feels so full and complete. This is something I’ve noticed for even the most mundane tasks, being wholeheartedly in the moment, even when the mind is not, if that makes any sense.

(Note: Im an employed, mostly neurotypical, working class, cis-gender, straight white male in the USA with basic needs met and it is not my intention to minimize or downplay anyone’s problems or suffering)

Gassho,
Tom
Sat/Lah

[gaurdianaq]

I definitely agree, when I'm mindful that things can/will go wrong they lose a lot of their power over me. When I was younger I used to say "why does this have to happen?!", now I say "it happened". I also try to view problems not as problems, but as challenges to be overcome, I'm running late for work? It's not a problem, it's a challenge that has been put before me and I shall emerge victorious! And even if I don't make it in time, it's an opportunity for me to learn.


Evan,
Sat today!

[Tom A.]

I definitely agree, when I'm mindful that things can/will go wrong they lose a lot of their power over me. When I was younger I used to say "why does this have to happen?!", now I say "it happened". I also try to view problems not as problems, but as challenges to be overcome, I'm running late for work? It's not a problem, it's a challenge that has been put before me and I shall emerge victorious! And even if I don't make it in time, it's an opportunity for me to learn.


Evan,
Sat today!

Stress and striving but at the same time, being peaceful, whole and complete is how I'd best describe it. It is a completely new way of being in the world for me and started after I grasped what the practice of Shikantaza is, general mindfulness relaxed me but didn't change my day to day life so much as far as I can tell. Wanting and expecting "no gain" is when the most gain happened!!!

Gassho,
Tom
Sat/Lah

[gaurdianaq]

Thinking more about this, I've noticed that I still struggle greatly with this when it comes to my job/computer programming. I still find myself getting very attached to the outcomes of my job, and get frustrated when after repeated attempts they don't work. When really work is no different than any other aspect of my life where I'd be far less affected by the outcomes. Like yes, things will inevitably not work, but that's just part of the job. When they don't work we try again until they do...


Evan,
Sat today!

[Tomás ESP]

My previous therapist taught me a valuable lesson about this: Stress is not something negative. Really, it isn't. Even if the media says so. Look at athletes, they generate the same hormones that someone with anxiety would have. The difference is that in the first case there is a positive evaluation and in the second one it is negative. It is not circumstances that are the problem. It is our way of looking at them that make them "problems". We tend not to see reality objectively/clearly.

Gassho,
Sat&LaH

[Jundo]

Thinking more about this, I've noticed that I still struggle greatly with this when it comes to my job/computer programming. I still find myself getting very attached to the outcomes of my job, and get frustrated when after repeated attempts they don't work. When really work is no different than any other aspect of my life where I'd be far less affected by the outcomes. Like yes, things will inevitably not work, but that's just part of the job. When they don't work we try again until they do...


Evan,
Sat today!

I found through Zen practice, in my own life and work, that having goals and being goalless is -not- an either/or proposition, and thoroughly accepting and being greatly disappointed when something does not go according to plan sometimes is not an either/or proposition either!

It is as if we experience life through two eyes, seeing two very different ways, with both eyes open together providing clarity, perfuming and informing each other.

On the one hand we have goals and plans AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, are totally accepting of how things are with no need to change AT THE SAME INSTANT, the same as we sit in Shikantaza as things are, feeling the completeness of the current state. Likewise, we can thoroughly accept and flow with whatever happens and wherever life goes AND, AT THE SAME TIME, grit our teeth and let out a cuss word or three, feeling frustration and disappointment when something does not work as planned AS ONE.

The result of having goals on the one hand and no goals on the one hand ... is the one hand clapping of goals-no-goals, frustration-acceptance. One thoroughly accepts life as it is, and one thoroughly accepts life including the fact that sometimes we are frustrated with how life is in the moment, thus experience some degree of frustration AND total acceptance and calm at once. That is real peace.

Furthermore, were it any different, and if we were truly only accepting of all conditions, humankind would have never bothered to crawl out of its cave and learn to make fire. If one reads between the lines the old stories of Buddha or Dogen's words, one can hear that they often had goals and frustrations themselves at how things turned out. Of course, best not to let the frustrations, and any accompanying anger and sadness, run away with us either! All things in balance and moderation.

Gassho, J

STLah

[gaurdianaq]

Thanks Jundo, I realize now that I was getting frustrated about getting frustrated, getting caught up in how I think I "should" be reacting.

And Tomás I absolutely agree


Evan,
Sat today!

[Troy]

My previous therapist taught me a valuable lesson about this: Stress is not something negative. Really, it isn't. Even if the media says so. Look at athletes, they generate the same hormones that someone with anxiety would have. The difference is that in the first case there is a positive evaluation and in the second one it is negative. It is not circumstances that are the problem. It is our way of looking at them that make them "problems". We tend not to see reality objectively/clearly.

Gassho,
Sat&LaH

Thank you [emoji1374]


ST

[Jakuden]

Thank you for this teaching

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH