tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post6496044087209091072..comments2023-08-23T01:37:52.765-04:00Comments on ByChanceBuddhism: Trying too hardRenatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-19902845145761994382013-11-02T19:06:51.507-04:002013-11-02T19:06:51.507-04:00Hello-
You are certainly correct in what you have...Hello-<br /><br />You are certainly correct in what you have written here. Like most, I had to learn the hard way about what can happen when we hold too closely to expectations. Although I was not brought up to expect anything in return, often it just happens- especially when we are trying too hard as I was. You are right, it is all part of that 'letting go' process, the one that will eventually free us (and lead to true compassion). <br /><br />Thank you so much for commenting. <br /><br />With Metta,<br /><br />RenataRenatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-64221744905141741452013-11-02T11:59:11.905-04:002013-11-02T11:59:11.905-04:00Hi Renata, A common misconception about compassion...Hi Renata, A common misconception about compassion is that the act of compassion will be recognized or equally enjoyed by both the receiver and the initiator. But in most cases than not others don't. Hence, we who practice compassion must be aware not to have any expectations about how our good deeds will make others satisfied. When we practice compassion (which I define as a part of letting go practice) we must also expect to not expect anything in return. Dropping the expectation is another form of letting go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-32924507780096331872013-10-26T21:47:16.963-04:002013-10-26T21:47:16.963-04:00Dear Merry- Thanks so much- you are incredibly kin...Dear Merry- Thanks so much- you are incredibly kind! That's funny how you mention the Buddha's encouragement to try his teachings before believing them. That was one of the most profound and welcoming things I came across when first learning about Buddhism- and pretty much solidified my decision that the Buddhist path was the right one for me. <br /><br />I am glad these posts help you in some way- I am by no means a spiritual teacher and so my goal is to simply reach out to others who may be encountering the same thoughts, obstacles, and also blessings. Thank you so much for letting me know that the reaching out is working :)<br /><br />With Metta,<br /><br />Renata Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-35421240508069402412013-10-26T15:35:02.273-04:002013-10-26T15:35:02.273-04:00Thanks for the reply back! :) You actually did hel...Thanks for the reply back! :) You actually did help me. What's funny is how the Buddha says to 'try' his teachings out first before believing in them, and I've had a lot of this going lately, mistakes included. :D Can't wait to see your next post, they always help me, even if you don't mean to. <br /><br />-MerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-52241099610319806332013-10-26T10:27:13.301-04:002013-10-26T10:27:13.301-04:00Hi xenusfreeman- Thanks so much for stopping by, i...Hi xenusfreeman- Thanks so much for stopping by, it is always nice reading your thoughts. <br /><br />Yes, we are all sometimes too hard on ourselves, and I wrote this post just to demonstrate that. Also, I must say that I am happy to look back and know that my all-or-nothing attitude has changed quite a bit from those days. I hope that my experience will help others who are 'trying too hard' or striving for a quick fix for bad habits by making sudden extreme changes in their behavior. <br /><br />I like your saying about having to succeed only once- that is encouraging :)<br /><br />With Metta,<br /><br />RenataRenatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-83337128034729847222013-10-26T10:10:48.422-04:002013-10-26T10:10:48.422-04:00Thanks so much for commenting, Merry! I am glad yo...Thanks so much for commenting, Merry! I am glad you enjoyed this post. I don't really know if I am qualified to give advice on finding your Middle Way though, because only you can find that. But the good news is that you know what your extremes are, so, logically speaking, your Middle Way will be somewhere between :) (at least as far as material possessions go)! As for being afraid of doing the wrong thing, know that you're going to make mistakes. It might not be what you want to hear, but just be patient with yourself. Anything worth doing is going to take time. <br /><br />With Metta,<br />RenataRenatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-86405828542992720772013-10-23T00:11:24.543-04:002013-10-23T00:11:24.543-04:00Wow!!!
You people are being too hard on yourself....Wow!!!<br /><br />You people are being too hard on yourself. :) Well, I was there too before I read a book and got chided for what I was doing. Thank you Bhante for the reminder. (I forget which book I read. LOL!!!)<br /><br />Those practicing in the Dharma are just practitioner and not teachers. Even teachers sometimes fails in their practice while compare to practitioner who "supposed" to fail even more. <br /><br />A wise man once says we are allowed to fail many times but we required to succeed only once.<br /><br />Peace be with you. :)<br /><br />xenusfreemannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-65082196016079250802013-10-19T21:48:34.129-04:002013-10-19T21:48:34.129-04:00Hey!
I needed to read the post very much! I *have...Hey!<br /><br />I needed to read the post very much! I *have* been trying WAY too hard at things. I am more mindful I believe, but this only causes me to be afraid of doing the wrong things. I know I should not be scared, but it's hard to do things right for some reason without it. I live in the USA, where there is a big dualism-type mindset, as you might know, and I guess I've been brought up to think as such. <br /><br />I really enjoyed this post. The Middle Way is the way to be, I believe....Now if only I could find it! :) I often go from extreme to extreme, One day I'm trying to be a hoarder and the next I'm donating like crazy. Nothing wrong with donations, I just don't know how to be in the middle. *sighs* Do you have any advice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com