Responses

nagesvara — Sun, 9 Oct, 2011 - 12:36

Thank you Vajragupta for a clear and thoughtful talk. Lovely to see Ratnavyuha on the webcam too! Here goes:

In response to feeling restless, unhappy, discontent, lonely, or any other forms of dukkha I will often swich the computer on in the end of the day where really I would benefit from winding down and going to sleep. My work as a mental health nurse involves responding, as creatively as I can to the whole range of dukkha (and joy!) people experience in the course of a shift on the ward. I have noticed how this work often leaves me with residual cognitive/emotional responses (bagage?!) and how I habitually use distraction to bypass this natural processing of impressions from the day.

Hence my main precept for the week is therefore to avoid switching my computer on in the evening after supper (or whenever I come home) to help myself get enough sleep, and to sit in awareness of what is arising (or passing away) when not surfing the web, writing emails, watching films, listening to music, facebooking (the list goes on!). I will allow myself some time each day to read/comment on this website to keep the retreat alive.

To help me with this I have written a post-it note and put it over the computer power switch saying:

“Are you sure?”

I have also set an extra alarm on my mobile for 21:30 to remind myself it is time to wind down. I do shift work and often need to get to work for 07:00. I will work nightshifts from friday onwards so will need to set the alarm differently then no doubt :)

Thought I share this as it makes things a bit more objective for myself and may serve to inspire other people to share their own intentions for this urban retreat.

Warm wishes to all,

Nagesvara