2009.10.15 07:00 - Technique v. Art

The Guardian for this meeting was genesis Zhangsun. The comments are by genesis Zhangsun.

genesis Zhangsun: Hi Yaku
Yakuzza Lethecus: hi gen
genesis Zhangsun: Hows it going?
Yakuzza Lethecus: fine, i just read vics notecard :)
Yakuzza Lethecus: for the science seminar
Yakuzza Lethecus: i hope you are fine as well
Yakuzza Lethecus: and ur 3 year old :)
genesis Zhangsun: yes fine thanks :)
genesis Zhangsun: she is no up yet
genesis Zhangsun: but could be any minute
Yakuzza Lethecus: when are small children going to kindergarden in the states ?
Yakuzza Lethecus: here we have the tedency that children are ,,outsourced" :P earlier and earlier so there are even places where 1 year old can be placed, when i was small we had to reach age 3-4 until we came into kindergarden in germany
genesis Zhangsun: yeah there is preschool from 2.9 months
genesis Zhangsun: kindergarten is different for us, kids start ar 5
genesis Zhangsun: it is the official first year
--BELL--
Yakuzza Lethecus: ah, iguess kindergarden and kindergarten might not be exctly the same :)
genesis Zhangsun: I think in the States they took it from the german notion
genesis Zhangsun: but yes they are different
genesis Zhangsun: do u call it kindergarden?
genesis Zhangsun: with a "g"?
Yakuzza Lethecus: Der Kindergarten :)
Yakuzza Lethecus: But there are many subforms even here
Yakuzza Lethecus: but i have to say that i don´t have own experiences
genesis Zhangsun: you visit PaB quite often? How do you like it? Are you getting more into the explorations?
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello gen and Yakuzza :) Sorry I'm late.
genesis Zhangsun: Hi Gaya
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Whatever is comfortable for you Yakuzza :)
genesis Zhangsun: so u are saying you prefer longer pauses?
--BELL--
genesis Zhangsun: do you find that too Gaya?
Gaya Ethaniel: Well, I don't pause much anymore. It's more or less all the time except doing anything structured/planned ie sitting, breathing. I still have the bell on though when I'm at my computer :)
genesis Zhangsun: and how do you remind yourself to be mindful/meditative?
Gaya Ethaniel: Alas no, I don't have much time to commit to any extra activities in SL.
Gaya Ethaniel: mm ... unless in something drastic, I don't need reminder. That reminds me ... need to do a painting for Stim soonish ...
Gaya Ethaniel: In a way, I try to just sit in any situations I find myself.
genesis Zhangsun: so you feel you can maintain a meditative state all the time, is that a new development?
Gaya Ethaniel: Well gradually since I realised being aware/meditative is something akin to multi-tasking.
genesis Zhangsun: could you explain a bit more?
Gaya Ethaniel: I do really wish I can explain well gen ... but again I'd like to refer to dancing as an example. One learns the moves and practices many times ... then one can hear the music very well and respond with the moves ... also respond to the environment etc.
Gaya Ethaniel: I mean it also would take studying the music by listening a lot too ... many things come together.
Gaya Ethaniel: Find out more about your body ... if dancing with partner, get to know the other etc.
genesis Zhangsun: is that what you mean by multitasking- listening to the music, executing the moves, adjusting, responding?
Gaya Ethaniel: Having the awareness of all different things in play ... but be in the moment so to speak, respond as things arises, not fixed. One's conditions change so ... cannot just repeat like a machine.
Gaya Ethaniel: I'm not a dancer but any physical activities like that can be a good example I think,
genesis Zhangsun: thats a great description gaya
Gaya Ethaniel: I'm sure you know all about this, I heard that you do yoga gen :)
genesis Zhangsun: for myself, I have been exploring long and short forms of meditation and I like both
genesis Zhangsun: but I do find myself falling back into scripted "movements" that I fall back into by habit rather than by choice at times
genesis Zhangsun: yes indeed Gaya, I love yoga :)
Gaya Ethaniel: I used to do yoga but now doing Tai Chi with my husband :)
genesis Zhangsun: is your husband interested in Tai Chi?
genesis Zhangsun: that sounds like a lovely thing to do as a couple
Gaya Ethaniel nods. 'scripted movements' ... it's not easy to approach things that one does frequently freshly each time.
genesis Zhangsun: yes that is the great challenge :)
genesis Zhangsun: I am not as masterful as you, I definitely need reminders
Gaya Ethaniel: Well, he was never interested in 'spiritual' things but recently he's suggested doing things like Tai Chi and meditation etc.
genesis Zhangsun: Hi Jenz
Gaya Ethaniel: I am NOT masterful ... I protest emphatically!
Jenz Snoodle: wats happening here ?
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Jenz :)
--BELL--
Jenz Snoodle: wats happening here ?
Gaya Ethaniel: :D we're having a friendly chat. Join us if you'd like.
genesis Zhangsun: yes you are welcome to join us Jenz
Gaya Ethaniel: You can get more information about our group from the post just outside.
genesis Zhangsun: I must warn you though that our conversations here are recorded
Jenz Snoodle: ok yes i just got it
genesis Zhangsun: we post transcripts on the web
genesis Zhangsun: is that okay wit you?
genesis Zhangsun: *with
Jenz Snoodle: yes
Jenz Snoodle: i just dont understand wat u talk about ?
Gaya Ethaniel: What kind of reminders you have in mind gen?
genesis Zhangsun: we were just discussing longer v. short forms of meditation Jenz
genesis Zhangsun: well I guess the greatest reminder is the intention/commitment to stay aware
genesis Zhangsun: to get to know your self you patterns, your "scripts" better
genesis Zhangsun: so you can recognize them
Jenz Snoodle: ok thanks. not really my thing so ill shoot off, thanks tho :-)
genesis Zhangsun: 9 seconds helps though in my case to get less "caught up"
Gaya Ethaniel: Have fun Jenz :)
Jenz Snoodle: bye x
genesis Zhangsun: by Jenz
Gaya Ethaniel: I think there is only a thin [maybe not so thin ...] line between knowing the moves and getting them fixed into 'scripted' moves.
genesis Zhangsun: yes
genesis Zhangsun: you are right though physical movements like dance and yoga are great analogies
genesis Zhangsun: in yoga of couse there are many "scripted poses" asanas
Gaya Ethaniel: btw all the time I meant is not 'awareness' at max all the time ... it's also about being comfortable too for me whatever 'awareness' level is at the moment ...
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes, one needs to learn and refine them by practice.
genesis Zhangsun: indeed but the point is not just to get "technically good"
genesis Zhangsun: it is to use the training to express something unique, alive, present in that moment
genesis Zhangsun: and you can see it in those who are good technical practioners v. those who use the technique to express art
Gaya Ethaniel: See, you're the one who is masterful :)
genesis Zhangsun: thanks Gaya :) its a feel good session!
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
genesis Zhangsun: I like what you say though Gaya about a comfortable level of awareness
Gaya Ethaniel: Well any activity can become a tool to practice meditation so ...
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes I had to let go and become a 'spiritual slack' for a bit to realise that. I had a permission to slack so :P
genesis Zhangsun: well slack can be good to allow yourself some more space to explore
Gaya Ethaniel nods.
genesis Zhangsun: play as being in this way I think presents a gentle approach with a lot of space
Gaya Ethaniel nods :)
genesis Zhangsun: there is no "right" way, no strict discipline, no formal training
genesis Zhangsun: perhaps just the commitment to engage
genesis Zhangsun: to go into depth
Gaya Ethaniel: It can be a good starting point for some I'm sure.
genesis Zhangsun: it was for me :)
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
genesis Zhangsun: could you say more Gaya about this "comfortable level" of awareness?
Gaya Ethaniel: gen >.<
Gaya Ethaniel: Just accept and try not to change ... kind of thing.
Gaya Ethaniel: Last week I was pretty ill with cold and it was interesting to practice acceptance for example.
--BELL--
genesis Zhangsun: yes accepting illness, slowing down is tough
Gaya Ethaniel nods.
Gaya Ethaniel: Time for me to go, nice seeing you both.
genesis Zhangsun: me too
Gaya Ethaniel: Have a good day!
genesis Zhangsun: nice to see you Gaya and Yaku!
genesis Zhangsun: same to you!