I haven't given much thought to New Year's Resolutions this year. I don't usually make a big deal about resolutions -- if I want to change something in my life, I change it, and I don't wait for New Year's! But sometimes it's fun to assess things and see if change is warranted.
This year it's hard to do that assessment because so much is changing anyway. In the past I might have resolved to get a new job, something more professionally challenging, but the universe has made that resolution for me! And everything else seems to be changing, so what could I possibly resolve?
I guess I could resolve to keep going to the gym and stay in shape despite all these changes. I'd also like to find a way to reincorporate my Buddhist practice into my life. I've drifted away from practicing, and I'd like to work on maintaining mindfulness and being open to the universe around me.
At the same time, I don't really miss the Zendo, I must confess. Maybe it's selfish but I'm not missing the obligation of all-day retreats and several hours of sitting at a time. I'm not sure what the future of my involvement with the Zendo will be. Maybe I want a more casual approach to practice. Maybe I can find a sitting group here in New Brunswick. At any rate it would be nice to sit more at home.
I think these are my resolutions every year -- stay fit and practice more!
(Photo: Lower East Side, on Monday.)
Even the idea that regular practice is necessary is a story, a thought from which you can wake up.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't miss the Zendo, then you don't! No harm done.
Exercise is always good for everyone ... or ... is that, too, just a story?
I think you're wise right now to keep all your options open. Your life is shape shifting - you don't need to arbitrarily say what it's becoming just yet.
I think you're brave and wonderful to keep an open mind/heart.
GREAT image today. xx
I'll bet you could find a couple of people to sit with in NJ. I have been sitting regularly with a group of about 5 people for years. I much prefer to do group sits with them, as opposed to sitting by myself. Although my husband and I recently talked about sitting together (for a much shorter time) at home. He needs to find a position in which he will be physically comfortable without being so comfortable that he falls asleep.
ReplyDeleteAs with everything in life, it only works if you feel positively about doing it. The result of any practice (spiritual or physical) must justify the effort to do it.
I try to do my resolutions with the change of seasons not the calendar year which seems more natural, and by doing it four times of year you have more of a chance to check in on those made three months earlier. That's much easier and realistic than doing it once a year when you've broken and forgotten those from last year.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to hearing about your new practice. I've been trying to find one the merges physical (yoga, other) with spiritual (Buddhist or otherwise).