Maybe it will work for you ?un8- wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 1:07 pmThank you, I appreciate your response and wise advice. This has been an ongoing battle for years, and I think many Buddhists as well who don't want to really admit it. The idea of spinning wheels and not gaining traction really bothers me that I'm afraid of getting burnt out and giving up all together, just giving in and getting lost in video games and such. I've tried so many different methods, read so many books over the years, I have hundreds of gigabytes saved of material, I can't even read another Buddhist book anymore. So that's why I wanted to hear people's opinions.Sam Vara wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 12:57 pmYes, I entirely agree. Some might claim that this is due to our previous kamma which gets us born wherever we find ourselves; others would say luck. Certainly I have Thai and Sri Lankan friends who would not dream of breaking the 5th precept, and would have more difficulty in breaking the first than most westerners.un8- wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 12:50 pm
Sure, but how many people fail to keep a diet and return to their former weight, despite all their intentions and will power? How come people in Okinawa or South Korea and other parts of the world like the bluezone countries, are effortlessly able to maintain healthy weight? Because of social conditioning. It's extremely hard to overcome social conditioning, that's why they say the best way to quit smoking is to never start. People born in areas with good social conditioning are extremely fortunate.
But the key point here is that you are asking about whether renunciation of sense pleasure is necessary, and if so how to do it. That's a huge advantage over the millions of others to whom such a question would never even occur.
My advice is to look at the advice you get (as you are now!) and if you choose to cut back, go slowly and carefully monitor any feedback. And be gentle on yourself.
I know that I will never break the 5 precepts, so I have that assurance, the only hurdle for me now is sensual desires.
Cheers
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Meditators in this practice are directed to focus on the “disgusting” aspects of the cadaver and the impermanence of the flesh, bones, and fluids. The highest state of meditation is reached when both attraction and repulsion cease to exist. This approach is viewed as a powerful way to learn selflessness, says Justin McDaniel, a professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania. “And the more selfless you are, the closer you are to nirvana.” (The New York Times)
The family of a child or young adult who has died unexpectedly will sometimes donate the remains to a temple for this purpose, seeking to make merit and gain a positive outcome from the tragedy. The monks see the deceased young people as “representing the best of humanity,” says Professor McDaniel. “They’re innocent — not so selfish and greedy and ambitious. If something so beautiful can decay, why are you so proud and vain? You’re even uglier.” (The New York Times)
At some monasteries, such as Wat Khao Yai in Thailand’s Pichit Province and Wat Hualompong in Bangkok, a donated corpse is suspended on a hook before monastics who have received permission to undertake this meditation, or the meditators might sit in charnel grounds, viewing corpses before, during, and after cremation. Such practices have been depicted in numerous centuries old manuscripts and murals, and related in the biographies of prominent Thai monks such as Luang Phu Man, Than Achan Taeng, and Somdet To.
It is very common with [monastics] to have [corpse meditation] pictures with us, to use them, or just to have in your hut, or have with you when you are eating, or just to look at and to contemplate,” he says. “That’s what monasteries are for: They remind us of the true nature of life, which is this impermanence and transitory nature.” (The Washington Times)"
https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/medit ... permanence