Posts: 2110
From: King Arthur's Camelot
Registered: Jun 2002

posted April 22, 2004 01:32 PM         

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Of course not from LindaLand, but from life in general. Life is full of distractions, I feel like I'm being blocked (stuck in the matrix), and I think it would be nice to retreat for about a year after highschool. Being alone is important for spiritual concerns, and it would be nice let go of material matters such as school and career. However, where can you go for that? I think I need to go off and meditate for a long time.

-StarLover

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Posts: 514
From: beautiful, hidden mountain village, BC, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 22, 2004 02:19 PM         

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I have done that several times in my life, StarLover, and always felt it was a good thing. Last time was a couple of years ago. A friend of mine has a cabin in the mountains. You have to hike in about a half mile. No electricity, no phone, no indoor plumbing, wood heat, water from the creek running by. I was only there from April to July of 2002, but I really loved it. Then I ended up talking to a guy I knew who needed someone to run an archaeoogical examination on an old sternwheeler and off I went. I would have liked to spend more time in the cabin, though. Very good for the soul. I have also camped in a variety of places for months at a time, sometimes at a dig, but sometimes just because I was between jobs and had nothing to do for a while. Just pick a place, buy a tent, and get a friend to go with you. It is much more fun with two. Any rural place in Canada is good for a few months of quiet and safety. It is legal for Americans to just hang out for up to 6 months without any paperwork at all. Just let them know at the border you are going to be camping around. No problem.

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Posts: 664
From:
Registered: Nov 2002

posted April 22, 2004 02:42 PM         

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I would recommend a period of asceticism with a word of caution: don't make it a habit.

It is so easy, once we get into the habit of losing the self...to cut off the world around us in order to maintain that.

It's like raking your yard and then building a 20 foot wall around your yard after cutting down all of the trees, so that the leaves don't blow back in. Where's the fun in that?

(Actually this piece of advice was brought to you by my dear dear friend Meili, who helped me come to my senses.)

We must fight the good fight, play our part in the show and STILL somehow find the perspective to realize reality.

You've both read Divine Perception, so I won't point you in that direction, but still...I hope you can see the point I'm getting at. Life is to be lived, not in isolation, but right in the heart of it. Besides, who is going to bring these silly people around if not those of us who have perspective? The show isn't over by a long shot and the best part is less than 8 years away from beginning. (In fact, isn't the best part right now?)

Love,

daf

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Posts: 514
From: beautiful, hidden mountain village, BC, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 22, 2004 03:13 PM         

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All so true, Daf. We must participate in life. Like you, I wouldn't suggest to hermitize forever. Life is a grand, amazing field trip. But sometimes my Pisces heart needs to just BE for a while...to have no where to go and no one to save for a little bit...to sit and talk with the birds or go swim with the dolphins. It's a lot of work witnessing all the possiblities in creation and those lovely quiet scenes are part of it. Might as well go there occasionally.

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Posts: 2110
From: King Arthur's Camelot
Registered: Jun 2002

posted April 23, 2004 11:27 AM         

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I know exactly what you're talking about Dafreman and Fishkitten. I was looking for some solitude where I can strengthen my immortality. But after meditating, I'll do so when the time is right, and that time isn't now.

-StarLover

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Posts: 509
From: North Carolina
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 23, 2004 12:31 PM         

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A periodic hiatus is always good. Keeping in touch with the world around you is also important though. Ah, the joys of balance.
Wise words everyone.

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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

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Posts: 17067
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted April 24, 2004 03:52 PM         

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 498
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003

posted April 24, 2004 09:40 PM         

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I've noticed that the wise seem to take sabbaticals now and again. 40 days in the wilderness and all that. Recharge the batteries I suppose. I think everyone should pay a visit to a Walden Pond of their choice at least once in their life.

"Be ye in the world, not of it"

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Posts: 509
From: North Carolina
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 25, 2004 06:18 AM         

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Tink
The synchronicity continues. I just mentioned Thoreau in another post.

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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

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Posts: 498
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003

posted April 25, 2004 05:47 PM         

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This is just getting bizarro

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Posts: 509
From: North Carolina
Registered: Aug 2003

posted April 25, 2004 06:56 PM         

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Bizarro!
I loved that comic when I used to get the paper! I still have one saved (can't find it atm) that is a take on Little Red Riding Hood with a bunch of activists for animal rights protesting in the bedroom with the wolf dressed up as grandma! I thought that was fantastic (like, hooray for animal rights)!

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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

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Posts: 2110
From: King Arthur's Camelot
Registered: Jun 2002

posted April 25, 2004 10:56 PM         

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Posts: 76
From: New England
Registered: Jun 2002

posted April 30, 2004 03:58 PM         

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hey starlover - i say go for it! it's amazing what you find out about yours-elf when there's no one else around to interact with. i prefer the ocean when it comes to periods of solitude, but it's harder to find areas without people (esp in summer!)

i've never done a year alone, but a few months here and there have really helped me along the path. the best vacations have been the ones i've taken with just me!

sometimes just a change of scenery (including the people around) is enough to shake me out of any holding pattern. another good way to do get outside yourself without living in solitude is to do a stint in a foreign country, working or traveling - either.

what are some of your ideas?

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Posts: 17067
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted May 03, 2004 02:57 PM         

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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