“Pay attention…stay eager.”

April 17, 2013

“Pay attention…stay eager.”

#1.) I bow before the zen master: “My name is Doug and non-distraction is my practice.” Or so my imagination plays. It seems to me that if one were the master of non-distraction one would be the master of everything. I do not believe in “multi-tasking” and maybe I have said as much previously. But it warrants saying again. Refine your focus, concentrate, do one thing well at a time. “Concentration is the secret of strength,” said Emerson. Be strong.

* * *

#2) My absence (here at the “…house…”) cannot be well explained. Something is afoot, a sea change. I’ve observed this phenomeon before and when it happens, this shift, everything gets exciting and boring simultaneously, if you can image such a thing. I had a (sort of) vision a few days ago–I know, a vision!–and in it a massive mud-caked bubble burst through the earth’s core and exploded. And when this happened I realized the limitless continuity of all things….

This is not my given way of explaining things and appears squishy and unseemly–but I said that something is afoot.

* * *

1 + 2 = Susan Sontag:

“Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”

Life, The Examined Life

Susan Sontag

Posted by:

dougbruns

With an undergraduate degree in Religion and Philosophy, complimented with graduate work in the History of Ideas, Doug has spent his life chasing some of life’s big questions. As a result he has delved deeply into wisdom traditions both ancient and modern, including the philosophical schools of Existentialism, Pragmatism, and Stoicism; he has also explored several of the Eastern traditions, principally Zen Buddhism and Taoism. Admittedly, he is no expert on anything, being a simple pilgrim.

7 responses to ““Pay attention…stay eager.””

Kevin Drake

April 17, 2013 at 7:18 am

Good to hear from the House. I don’t know what the exciting/boring thing is either, if u find a cure please let me in on it.

Reply
1. A Journal of Life Pursued
  
  April 19, 2013 at 7:05 pm
  
  Good to hear from you too, Kevin. I’ll let you know if I figure out the exciting/boring thing.
  
  Reply
susan109

April 20, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Coincidentally (or not) my yoga teacher just sent out a message:

“Is it just me or has anyone else been experiencing unexpected shifts and changes? A feeling of being hyped up, gearing to go but also a little up in the air?”

She did some research and discovered the wood element awakens in spring. Energy of a new beginning, growth, vision of a new cycle.

Her conclusion: Awaken the gall bladder and liver meridian lines, both governed by the energy of wood.

Perhaps all we need is to stretch out our gall bladders and then have a vodka? Happy Spring to you.

Reply
1. A Journal of Life Pursued
  
  April 21, 2013 at 8:15 am
  
  This is most interesting. I am not sure how one goes about awakening the gall bladder. I don’t even know what a gall bladder is. I try to awaken the liver consistently every evening with ample quantities of Maker’s Mark, but an unsure if the meridian lines are also effected, for better or worse. As to the energy of wood, the awakening of wood, I will resist the temptation, though so wonderfully inviting, to pun.
  
  This is a most unique observation. Thanks for sharing.
  
  Reply
  1. Kevin Drake
    
    April 21, 2013 at 3:03 pm
    
    I appreciate it. I stopped going to yoga a year back, i should go back but until then I will try some Vodka.
  2. susan109
    
    April 23, 2013 at 9:00 am
    
    Kevin, since you are a yoga practitioner, I will share that “threading the needle” is a recommended pose for gall bladder health. You know the one…on hands and knees. Then one shoulder comes to the earth, with butt in the air, and arm sweeps across to thread through the other. If you place a properly chilled martini just beyond the reaching hand, you can probably get an additional stretch and then reward yourself and your liver. Namaste.
A Journal of Life Pursued

April 24, 2013 at 6:50 pm

The resources of “…the house…” are so deep, so rich, and so plentiful–one can only sit back and be grateful. Indeed, I think I will reward myself right now. Liver watch out!

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