Focussed attention

[Jhanananda]

the internet can be distracting, and even forums where mystics dialog about their religious experiences can be a distraction, so I hope you make progress on your solo retreat, and I look forward to reading what you have to say when you return.

[Jhanon]

Many thanks for explaining further. I hope Michel found this as useful as I did.

Yes, this is a very interesting discussion, Jhanon.  I'm getting all these little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together, and hopefully the big picture will start to emerge one day.

PS - I really hope you find a monastery somehow. You are so gifted and have great potential.  I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you, Michel. So far, Abhayagiri, a few hours north of Santa Cruz, seems the most likely to take me in (after what could be a lengthy courting period.) Which sort of destroys the purpose. But there is still time to make efforts...

the internet can be distracting, and even forums where mystics dialog about their religious experiences can be a distraction, so I hope you make progress on your solo retreat, and I look forward to reading what you have to say when you return.

Agreed on all levels of both your responses. I get distracted by the slightest little things. Ahhh, the curse of ADHD. Very little can keep my attention for long. I was just attempting to prepare my taxes, and it was so agonizingly draining that I bumped over here after 20 minutes. I really wish human life wasn't so draining and agonizing for me--but maybe it's a necessary evil.

[Jhanananda]

Agreed on all levels of both your responses. I get distracted by the slightest little things. Ahhh, the curse of ADHD. Very little can keep my attention for long. I was just attempting to prepare my taxes, and it was so agonizingly draining that I bumped over here after 20 minutes. I really wish human life wasn't so draining and agonizing for me--but maybe it's a necessary evil.

I prefer not to be distracted as well, that is in part why I have chosen to be a recluse, because I prefer to be focused upon whatever it is that I am doing.  So, perhaps ADHDs just prefer to narrow their focus, and find all else distracting. Part of the reason why mystics go into seclusion in the wilderness or monasteries is because they find that they need to focus their attention upon the self-aware contemplative life.

Please note that I split the topic and started a new heading under that current theme of discussion.

[Jhanon]

Before I became involved with a woman and had a child, I experienced the happiest and most blissful period of my life. My shelter was provided for me, and I spent most of my time in a room with a laptop, table and bed--that's about it. You are correct--I thrive in minimalism. And now I spend almost my entire day caring for child and cleaning a house among a family of far more possession than needed. There is so much distraction it is overwhelming. Don't misinterpret me; my partner and child are better than any I've ever experienced, but I suppose it just goes to show how much reward the minimalist recluse lifestyle has to offer.

For any contemplative or mystic just getting their feet wet, I urge them to adopt a lifestyle of minimalism and avoid choices that could drastically impede their ability to maintain it over a long period of time.

[Jhanananda]

For any contemplative or mystic just getting their feet wet, I urge them to adopt a lifestyle of minimalism and avoid choices that could drastically impede their ability to maintain it over a long period of time.

This sounds like laying down the burden to me.