Enriching the Religious Experience

[Jhanon]

I think it is an issue of balance. I can control myself very well when I am intent on being present and consciously aware. But, I've lost the spontaneity and carefree-ness I used to have, and enjoy so much.

Having a child and other similar causes may be contributing. I was on a 3 year high just because of how I looked at life with a sense of awe, gratitude, and reverence. I'm not living right now; I'm navigating and negotiating tasks. That is all I am doing.

it's an issue of balance. I can't let myself get completely caught up again in the reverence, gratitude, and all that; because I tend to make decisions differently. At the same time, there isn't enough for me to make the daily progress I was so accustom to those last 3 years.

I'm having a difficult time figuring this out or even putting it to paper. I feel like it has something to do with being aware of how others perceive me.

[Jhanananda]

I was working from Norman Zinberg's set and setting; BF Skinner's "stimulus response," otherwise known as Operant conditioning; and Pavlov's conditional reflex.  The idea within the context of the contemplative life is by engaging in regular meditation practice that produces the charisms, one becomes conditioned to manifest those charisms.  We enhance that conditioning by bringing together religious paraphernalia, ritualized behavior, expectation, submissiveness, and reverence to the daily meditation practice.

[Jhanon]

This response was helpful for me, Jhananda. I am familiar with the information you provided, but there was a power in you providing it that led to desirable results.