Travis Eneix's Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Teaching Gigs

Linda Figy Shaffer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:22:38 -0000

How do I get a video for my TV to do your Tai Chi-I like your way of teaching-it makes sense to me more than others. Thank you.

Re: Smile Damn It

Ulc Seminary — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:07:15 -0000

I'm a big fan of smiling. When I'm on the phone, I make it a point to smile because it automatically warms up my voice.

Re: You, You, You

Travis Eneix — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:15:37 -0000

When we discover what we are not we see that we are that as well. Don't you find?

Re: You, You, You

steve — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:53:10 -0000

Methinks...

that a person exists both as who he is and who he thinks himself to be. Between the two is the whole world.

Being pragmatic, the greater benefit is the discovery of what we are not. Even if a tongue could taste itself, it would neither be added to or subtracted from by doing so.

Cheers!

Re: Working Change From The Inside Out

Travis — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:59:59 -0000

Summer project! We need a second bathroom!

Re: Working Change From The Inside Out

The Wife — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:55:47 -0000

:)
*But not too much time. We've only got one bathroom.

Re: Through The Trees

Travis — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:22:38 -0000

Thanks!

Re: Through The Trees

:) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:35:53 -0000

I like your movie :)

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

steve — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:22:37 -0000

And what Preacher doesn't enjoy preaching to the choir?

" I believe it brings results for the simple reason that attention is on that which had been laid aside and forgotten in the (much more interesting/attention grabbing) play of things."

Isn't this the practical definition of 'Ignorance'? To ignore the obvious? It's not that simple of course. I like the 'vase/faces' illusion. Practically everyone sees the vase at first, then they step back a bit and see the faces. The faces were always there, always obvious, but a step back was needed.

This whole business is only about 'clear seeing', nothing more....which sounds fairly lame...but seeing clearly 'that' which sees...well that's another thing.

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

Travis — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:16:19 -0000

We are both preaching to the choir in this exchange, it seems.

I believe it brings results for the simple reason that attention is on that which had been laid aside and forgotten in the (much more interesting/attention grabbing) play of things. That which is laid aside is the "other half" of what we are. Living a half life obviously makes for only half a life, and one lived as Douglas Harding would say, from the wrong starting place.

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

steve — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:59:17 -0000

LOL, very good!

I am reminded of Sartre's "No Exit" for some reason. The world exists only when 'we' exist, and when we exist our focus has to be somewhere.

“I see X.” But I also see I. So, seeing comes before I and is inclusive of it."

I couch this a bit differently, but it is the same thing. The "I" precedes all other thought, but even held naked, it is observed. This is the swinging door or gate.

Language begins to fail me from here on I suppose. Suffice it to say that holding attention to this junction brings results. The 'why' of the matter is of little concern now, or more precisely, things have their own momentum. :)

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

Travis — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:52:32 -0000

Agreed! Where are you looking, and why are you looking? Direction and intent.

A useful distinction for me is the difference between looking and seeing. I often find myself saying, "I see X." But I also see I. So, seeing comes before I and is inclusive of it. Seeing is always just happening. My part is to look where I want to see. "Pointing the beam of attention," as John Sherman says.

I cannot not see. What I can do is decide where to look and be aware of why I am looking in that particular direction.

Done, done, done & done. Done before all doing. Realization, 'Sup?

That's my personal version. :)

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

steve — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:33:08 -0000

Yes, exactly so. Extending is only exercise and probably has little other value. Like tensing a muscle to deepen the relaxation?

What is important, I feel, is direction and attitude (or intent). This is a remarkable endeavor, if endeavor is the right word. Breaking the stranglehold that conditioned thought has on our attention, even if only briefly, is very liberating.

"gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha"

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

Travis — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:00:13 -0000

Steve, Right there with you man! You have outlined the practice I have been doing for the last 4 years. The vichara. Though I would not think of it as striving to extend the quiet times, but rather avoiding the habit of moving away from the quiet.

Re: Thoughts Are Not Thinking

steve — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:52:58 -0000

"What has happened though is my relationship with my thoughts has radically shifted. First of all they are not mine. "

"On a bright note I do have periods of time now without thought"

Congradulations! Keep pushing this envelope! In meditation, attend to where the thoughts originate from. In normal hours, strive to extend the quiet intervals (think of it like isometric exercises).

My compliments.

Re: Tai Chi Chih: Bass Drum

Travis — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:40:44 -0000

Susan, I can only speak about the hand vibration from inside of the experience. What I learned from Justin Stone is that it is a byproduct of increased chi flow and indicative of a relaxed state and deep practice. It comes to most Tai Chi Chih practitioners after a few years of dedicated practice.

From the inside I can tell you that it does not happen when I am not practicing, always happens when I do, has not affected my hand stability, and happens when I do other energy work practices as well. It often happens during certain Aikido breath practices, for example. Subjectively it is a feeling like the hand is being shaken by "something else." It does not feel the same as when I shake my hand on purpose and the motion comes from the muscles. There is a feeling of flowing from inside to out, splashing along the inside lower arm, wrist, hand and finally out the fingers. If garden hoses could speak in language we easily understood I think it would be how they feel when the water is turned on full blast and they are allowed to flop about.

That's what I got for ya, for what it's worth. ;)

Re: Tai Chi Chih: Bass Drum

Susan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:33:54 -0000

Hi Travis,

As I deepen my practice I appreciate finding new teachers such as yourself. It's of great benefit, I believe, to hear and see a particular movement or form expressed slightly differently than I've heard/seen before.

I have a question: A number of longtime practitioners I have met have developed the left hand tremor, which I see you have, as well. It's counterintuitive, as Tai Chi in various forms is recommended to TREAT essential tremor. I'm a curious scientist, and I want to know why that develops. Do you know?

Thanks for all you do.

Re: A Brave Meditation Manifesto

Travis — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:39:36 -0000

I agree Steve. All manifestations can be a hindrance and a help. Context and view make the call.

Oh, and I love the lava lamp analogy. Cheers!

Re: Carving Out What Is Not Needed

Travis — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:27:31 -0000

I like those thoughts! Thanks!

Re: Carving Out What Is Not Needed

Naarah McDonald — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:16:56 -0000

It is all about choices and where you place your energy. Building your support network while working on goals builds that deeper connection. Mountains move over time influenced by the environment. Just a thought to ponder...

Re: Carving Out What Is Not Needed

Travis — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:27:03 -0000

Wise words, Naarah, and advice I do find hard to utilize. Perhaps this year will see a lightening of that resistance in me. I can hope! Cheers!

Re: Carving Out What Is Not Needed

Naarah McDonald — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:19:31 -0000

You have an ambitious list, but one well worth accomplishing! I have faith that with due diligence you will be successful. While much of this is work that you need to do on your own, remember that a support network that shares your interests and can offer time or personal experience is of importance. No one can do it alone. Use those around you that share your enthusiasm for those goals to move toward achievement, even if all they do is talk to you while you sort paperwork or piles.

Re: A Brave Meditation Manifesto

steve — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:43:25 -0000

Whether they be plesant or unplesant, the witnessed thoughts are not 'your' thoughts. They arise from conditioning that is apart from you. This is a difficult issue because as humans we 'think', but as a meditator it is obvious that thoughts come unbiden.

Thoughts to a meditator are like water to the salmon. While both are a moving force against us, they also arise from the source and lead us back to it.

Holding as best we can to the source - the primal sense of "I Am" and it's witness - there comes times when one questions whether a thought has even occured or not? Thoughts may also be witnessed at very fine levels, or even as 'globs' of un-languaged energy (sorry, but the image of a lava lamp is actually pretty fitting). So both a hinderance and a help IMO.

Keep on keeping on...

Re: A Brave Meditation Manifesto

Travis — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:12:23 -0000

Chase, as you intuit, it is really simple and easy. All it takes is a decision. I am not fond of new year's resolutions because they can be very vague and come out as good intentions. The fact that they have no set time goal, or structure also makes it easy to forget them. My suggestion is you commit to a time period everyday which seems doable but a little bit ambitious for a number of days that seems just a bit beyond reasonable. See how that goes. Maybe 10 minutes a day for 20 days.

My first 1,000 day vow started off as a 21 day vow which blossomed as I kept up the practice. My 1,000 day meditation vow started off at 10 minutes a day and has now become an unbroken daily habit of 32 minutes every day.

Start small, but just enough of a stretch to feel like a commitment and see where it goes. It's worth it.

Re: A Brave Meditation Manifesto

Chase Night — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:21:54 -0000

Meditation is something I really want to do, but feel like it's more complicated to get into than I'm sure it really is. I keep putting it off for a day when I'm less busy which I guess defeats the whole purpose. I'd make it a new year's resolution but then I know I'd never do it!