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September 14, 2005
Metablogging Thoughts
These were appended to the post below, but they did not really belong.
I know you all tire of hearing the same broken record. But that broken record is part of what this blog is all about. In fact, one might say that my purpose in writing is to discover for myself the contours of what is meant by detachment and how one cultivates the right attitude so that detachment is not the same effort as it is when one starts walking the road of prayer. I daresay the majority of people I have met could benefit from small lessons in what is needful and what is desired. Even if others cannot benefit so much as I do, the lessons of this blog are intended chiefly for the audience of its author. If others benefit by that sharing, I couldn't be more pleased. But I do write to know and to explore and my writing is an invitation to everyone who reads to accompany me on the exploration. We will occasionally stumble down dead-end paths, but we'll all learn something in the process. I know over the course of this blog I have learned a tremendous amount and have wandered down countless blind alleys. As a result, I have a much keener estimate of my own abilities and failings, and for that self-knowledge I am much obliged to those who have seen fit to comment, correct, and advise.
Posted by Steven Riddle at September 14, 2005 9:34 AM
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Comments
Steve, I'm living vicariously through your mussings! Keep discovering yourself and keep your posts comming...
As I read this and the post below my mind went to mindfulness. Instead of complete detachment, instead of completely emptying our mind of things, can we get more by doing, feeling, or thinking what's in front of us with absolute love and attention? Is this about living now, praying now, thinking now...?
Posted by: Hector at September 15, 2005 6:40 PM
hmmm, please delete an entry..., not sure what I did..., perhaps I was not mindful...
Posted by: Hector at September 15, 2005 6:42 PM
Dear Hector,
I think mindfulness is one of the keys. Detachment is cultivated, one means to an end. Mindfulness has, as its proper "side-effect" detachment--if one is paying proper attention, one is not paying attention to other distracting things.
Our Buddhist brethren have much to teach us about living in the moment (as do the saints of our own tradition). I cannot but think of Fr. de Mello's Awareness, which I found very helpful in thinking about and beginning to cultivate the mindfulness you suggest here.
shalom,
Steven
Posted by: Steven Riddle at September 16, 2005 10:12 AM