2008.12.25 01:00 - Everything Imaginable

The Guardian for this meeting was Fael Illyar. The comments can by by anyone having more time.

This day I we had a new visitor and the whole meeting was introductions.

Fael Illyar: Hi Tarmel :)
Tarmel Udimo: hi there fael - we meet again :-)
Fael Illyar: Yes, it's kind of my guardian slot today ;)
Fael Illyar: Hello Aesjar :)
Fael Illyar: Is it your first time here?
Fael Illyar: This is the meeting place for our group, Play as Being. meeting has just started. You're welcome to join us if you wish.
Aesjar Magne: i read the note card but i still feel unsure what this place is about. is it kinda spiritual or....?
Fael Illyar: We post logs of our meetings on our website, are you ok with your lines being posted there?
Aesjar Magne: sure
Fael Illyar: well, kind of spiritual, I'd say, yes. All kinds of people participating in these meetings.
Fael Illyar: depends a lot on who is present at the meetings what we talk about.
Fael Illyar: The main idea with which the group started with was as a group for discussing what comes up while doing these 9-second explorations.
Fael Illyar: So these meetings are for that.
Aesjar Magne: ok
Fael Illyar: but topics do tend to range from science to religion to silly.
Fael Illyar: Have you tried any explorations yet? Did the notecard explain it adequately?
Aesjar Magne: i haven't yet, and i just skimmed the notecard.. sorry
Fael Illyar: That's perfectly ok :)
Aesjar Magne: ok
Fael Illyar: some of the people who come here just come here to talk :)
Aesjar Magne: i'm looking at the website now to try and get a better idea
Fael Illyar: Do you have any kind of religious practise yourself? You'll find a lot of variety around here.
Aesjar Magne: yes... it's been changing quite a bit lately, i can't really describe it other than "Everything imaginable"
Fael Illyar: from people who don't have anything specific, like me to Christians, Buddhists and ... well, a lot of others too :)
Tarmel Udimo: hi aesjar
Aesjar Magne: hi
Tarmel Udimo: "Everything imaginable"?
Fael Illyar: We have a bell sounding here every 15 minutes as a signal for 9-second break.
Fael Illyar: you could call it a break from everything :)
Fael Illyar: 9-seconds during whch you don't have to feel like you need to do something.
Aesjar Magne: hmm, does that mean we shouldn't talk?)
Fael Illyar: No :)
Aesjar Magne: ok
Fael Illyar: and it really isn't that strict. some of us use 15-minute timers, other just take a break every once in a while when they feel like it.
Aesjar Magne: well, everything imaginable.. some days i feel like a buddhist, others christian, lately zoroastrian and sikh..
Aesjar Magne: i kinda feel like there is something beyond all religions that they each touch on in different ways
Fael Illyar: Yes, I agree. All the religions I've looked at seem to point at the same thing in their core.
Fael Illyar: but from different directions.
Aesjar Magne: it's kinda sad the popular versions of most religions kinda demand you don't look anywhere else and only isten to what they say
Fael Illyar: Yes, very.
Fael Illyar: they don't realize they're all preaching about the same thing but in different languages.
Fael Illyar: but... looking at what the major religions have been used for, it's quite expected.
Fael Illyar: the people in power have adapted them for keeping people in line and obedient.
Aesjar Magne: yes.. it's the opposite of what is actually good
Fael Illyar: do you meditate regularly?
Aesjar Magne: no, somewhat irratically.
Aesjar Magne: i took a meditation class a few months ago and i have hardly used what i learned
Fael Illyar: except for these Play as Being explorations, that applies to me too :)
Fael Illyar: I meditate when I feel like. Sometimes missing it for a while even.
Tarmel Udimo: me too
Fael Illyar: sometimes several times a day
Tarmel Udimo: you mean your 9 secs?
Fael Illyar: no, those I tend to do always.
Fael Illyar: 15 minute timer :)
Tarmel Udimo: smiles
Fael Illyar: I mean longer meditation, that lasts minutes
Tarmel Udimo: do you just stop and do it or do a ritual around it?
Fael Illyar: I tend to just sit.
Fael Illyar: usually close my eyes and take a certain sitting position that is close to zazen
Fael Illyar: I've tried meditating eyes open but ... my eyes just seem to naturally close so ...
Aesjar Magne: my problem when i meditate is my eyes pop open if i don't try to keep them shut..
Fael Illyar: eyes open/closed is not a problem.
Fael Illyar: just do what feels natural.
Aesjar Magne: if it is pitch black sometimes i can't tell if i opened my eyes or not without thinking too much or moving and it really distracts me
Tarmel Udimo: its okay to have eyes open, you just need to look down and keep them half closed and stay focused on breathing
Fael Illyar: yes, focusing on breathing is a good trick for getting started.
Fael Illyar: focusing on feeling the air move as you breathe
Fael Illyar: It really doesn't matter that much what exactly you do. Meditation is a mental thing.
Fael Illyar: if my body seems to want to do something without conscious thinkig, I let it.
Fael Illyar: Here's a notecard that's used in Zen Buddhism for describing the meditation
Fael Illyar: it's kind of difficult to understand without having done meditation yourself
Fael Illyar: it'll make more sense the more you meditate
Tarmel Udimo: thanks
Aesjar Magne: thanks
Fael Illyar: but reading it every once in a while might give you insight into how to meditate.
Aesjar Magne: what is prajna paramita? i know it is something i should know but i've forgotten
Fael Illyar: I have to confess I never felt like looking it up :)
Aesjar Magne: ok:)
Aesjar Magne: i'm more used to theravada buddhism and that might be something they tend to translate rather than give in sanskrit/paali
Fael Illyar: it's mostly english, the notecard :)
Fael Illyar: but, rather difficult to "get" :)
Aesjar Magne: i looked it up, "perfection of wisdom"
Fael Illyar: but overall, what you gain by meditating and introspecting and similar things is better understanding of your own mind.
Aesjar Magne: well, i'm going to go now. this was interesting i will be back:)
Aesjar Magne: bye
Fael Illyar: See you later :)
Fael Illyar: I hope to see you again :)
Tarmel Udimo: sorry had to do something
Fael Illyar: It's ok :)
Tarmel Udimo: our visitor left...
Fael Illyar: He did say he'll be back :)
Tarmel Udimo: nods
Fael Illyar: So, how have you been?
Tarmel Udimo: very good just feeling a bit laid back...
Tarmel Udimo: in fact I'm going to have to go soon... chores
Fael Illyar: We all have those :)
Fael Illyar: I might want to clean my house a bit before my visitor arrives as well :)
Tarmel Udimo: okay will you be okay or do you need company
Fael Illyar: Yes, I'll be ok :)
Tarmel Udimo: see you tommorrow - bye for now
Fael Illyar: See you later :)