I'm a very curious person when it comes to "knowing about things." I'm always looking things up. And, I've recently been seeing someone on TikTok who does "skits" about workplace interaction, and I've noticed how curious she is about what the (unseen/unheard) colleague is thinking/feeling/understanding. She asks questions in a an untriggered way, truly seeming to want to know what the other person is thinking. (And I realize it is a very different thing to do this is real life and not in an imaginary workplace interaction.) Anyway, I like to be reminded that curiosity is a way to access the Self. That may be an easier path for me than some of the others.
I think curiosity is the BEST way of accessing Self (and also of detecting its presence). I love the sound of those skits - and as you say, it's an advanced practice. I used to try it when dealing with people who were furious about the activism I/others did - getting really curious about what it was about it that made them so mad. It often took the conversation in unexpected directions...
How very interesting - and confusing. This 'self' sounds just like 'non-self' to me, or the biblical 'love' (or charity, caritas in the older translation)...
Hi Janey - Self is indeed also known as non-self - Buddhists can get especially annoyed about this choice of word by Richard Schwartz (who founded IFS)!! And yes, I would also say that it is caritas - pure compassion. So you're actually understanding the theory very well!
Love the photo Satya. I always enjoy the comments. Each one brings something to consider and frequently offers me a change of perspective. Thank you all.
Interesting Would you say that this Self in constant change and therefore not a fixed entity but instead this community of Light must be ultimately a Non “Self” viz a viz traditional Buddhist view of an Empty Luminous non self which to use light analogy is blessed by the Infinite Light of Amitabha Buddha
Excellent question Richard. I certainly have the experience of Self-energy as being non-fixed as you say - 'community of light' is a beautiful phrase. And yes as Janey says above, Self = non-self. I see Self-energy as existing both inside (Buddha Nature) and outside (Amitabha). We're on the kind of ground where language quickly fails us! Does that make sense?
Makes very much sense Btw I may contact you later this month re counselling as feel ready for it node to deal with trauma from ex 7 years back Please pm me procedure
I'm afraid my practice is totally full Richard & will be for the foreseeable future - do email me satya@satyarobyn.com if you'd like some recommendations!
I'm a very curious person when it comes to "knowing about things." I'm always looking things up. And, I've recently been seeing someone on TikTok who does "skits" about workplace interaction, and I've noticed how curious she is about what the (unseen/unheard) colleague is thinking/feeling/understanding. She asks questions in a an untriggered way, truly seeming to want to know what the other person is thinking. (And I realize it is a very different thing to do this is real life and not in an imaginary workplace interaction.) Anyway, I like to be reminded that curiosity is a way to access the Self. That may be an easier path for me than some of the others.
I think curiosity is the BEST way of accessing Self (and also of detecting its presence). I love the sound of those skits - and as you say, it's an advanced practice. I used to try it when dealing with people who were furious about the activism I/others did - getting really curious about what it was about it that made them so mad. It often took the conversation in unexpected directions...
IFS changed my life. I'm loving seeing it referenced in your writing. Thank you for this prompt!
Always so happy to hear that Katy! Me too!
How very interesting - and confusing. This 'self' sounds just like 'non-self' to me, or the biblical 'love' (or charity, caritas in the older translation)...
Hi Janey - Self is indeed also known as non-self - Buddhists can get especially annoyed about this choice of word by Richard Schwartz (who founded IFS)!! And yes, I would also say that it is caritas - pure compassion. So you're actually understanding the theory very well!
😃 SO - back to the practice then!
Love the photo Satya. I always enjoy the comments. Each one brings something to consider and frequently offers me a change of perspective. Thank you all.
Always back to the practice 😉
Interesting Would you say that this Self in constant change and therefore not a fixed entity but instead this community of Light must be ultimately a Non “Self” viz a viz traditional Buddhist view of an Empty Luminous non self which to use light analogy is blessed by the Infinite Light of Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amida Bu
Excellent question Richard. I certainly have the experience of Self-energy as being non-fixed as you say - 'community of light' is a beautiful phrase. And yes as Janey says above, Self = non-self. I see Self-energy as existing both inside (Buddha Nature) and outside (Amitabha). We're on the kind of ground where language quickly fails us! Does that make sense?
Makes very much sense Btw I may contact you later this month re counselling as feel ready for it node to deal with trauma from ex 7 years back Please pm me procedure
Will do
I'm afraid my practice is totally full Richard & will be for the foreseeable future - do email me satya@satyarobyn.com if you'd like some recommendations!