1996-07_07 Vipassana Retreat, Part 7 of 8 - Q&A 6

Talk: 19960707-Larry_Rosenberg-UNK-vipassana_retreat_part_7_of_8-43311 Start_time: 00:42:53 Display_question: Why were we asked to read books before the retreat that haven’t been mentioned? Keyword_search: book, retreat, mention, reference, retreat, distraction, abstract, skillful, careful Question_content: Questioner: In the catalog, there was reference to two books that we were to read for this retreat. You made no reference to them. Larry: Can we deal with everything having to do with conclude that kind of stuff tomorrow, if you don't mind? Why? Is the question a simple one? Questioner: Yes, I think it is. Why were we asked to read something that wasn't a) yours? And something that to this point has not been mentioned? Larry: Okay. One reason is I'm not Jack Rosenberg, who I understand has written some books. And I'm writing a book, and there are little lot of little articles and interviews with me. If you want them, call my mother. I'll give you her number. I just followed orders. When they invited me to come here, they said, “Could you mention two books?” This was sort of for people to read before they come here. Maybe like prepare the ground to give. So, did you read any of them? Questioner: Yes. Larry: Did it help you make up your mind to come here? Questioner: I had already made up my mind before I read the books. I was here last year with… Larry: Joseph and Sharon? Right. At least that's what they told me. So I just gave them, I don't even remember the names of the books I suggested. So it was to kind of familiarize you a little bit with what this is. What? No, no. They're okay. What? Questioner: You really don’t? Larry: There are a lot of good books. I'm sure I picked two good ones out of many. That’s all. I'm not saying I just threw any junk at you. What? Questioner: <inaudible> Larry: But not talking about them on a retreat is to not stimulate thinking kind of things. It's more to keep everything practice, practice, practice. Have you noticed how monomaniacal? That's how a retreat, if we had more time to go, the momentum picks up. And in guiding a retreat, then the mind will sometimes really desperately want some distraction. And so leading it, you have to work skillfully and carefully with that. Yes, please. End_time: 00:45:11