Q5-20131127-Larry_Rosenberg-CIMC-dharma_talk-24534

Talk: 2013-11_27 Dharma Talk.json Start_time: 01:09:41 Display_question: I appreciate how slowing down, breathing, and meditating has helped me know what I don't want to do. Keyword_search: Thanksgiving, Canada, meditator, meditation, freedom, wisdom Question_content: Questioner: While I've been sitting here, I realized that this is the first year that I'm actually doing exactly what I want, on Thanksgiving. Growing up in Canada, I didn't have a strong emotional attachment. I don't to Thanksgiving. But I still spent about 40 years, going to less than thrilling Thanksgiving dinners, in the state. And this year… Larry: Some of us who were grown, who were born here, went through the same feelings, but go ahead. Questioner: But this year, I'm going to spend tomorrow, with a few friends, who I adore. My partner is going to some of his friends, and it seems perfect, and I don't feel like I have to do something, so I just didn't realize how good I feel about it, till I started listening to everybody who has to go home. Not that I don't miss my parents, but they're not alive, so I don't have any. And they don't even celebrate Thanksgiving, or didn't. I don't know. I feel really good. Larry: Well, I would say sure. That's wonderful. But may I ask, do you do a meditation practice? Questioner: I do. I'm not a really good meditator. Larry: What does that mean? Questioner: It's a struggle. It's been a struggle for 25 years, but I recently, since the summer, have been listening to a Dharma teacher, who was a meditator. And now I've been trying to just be, in the present moment, all day long, pulling myself back into, be here, now, kind of. And that seems to be working really well for me. Larry: I was just trying to connect. I have to keep us on the subject. Questioner: Right. Larry: So, it's not just hearing…It's not a talk show, where I'm feeling great. So, do you think all of that has helped you to be able to accept this freedom, and to let everyone know, let your partner have his freedom, and you have yours? Questioner: I think being more in touch with myself, I can make better choices about what I want to do, and what I don't want to do. Larry: And this is one of them. Questioner: Yes. Larry: See, I'm looking for an endorsement. If I say this meditation is great, no one's going to believe me. I'm in the business. This is how I earn my living. You shouldn't believe me. If you say it, then they'll perk up. Questioner: Slowing down, and breathing ,and meditating has helped me certainly know what I don't want to do. Larry: Yeah, that's a large part of meditation. A lot of wisdom is seeing, is negating, lack of wisdom, foolishness, or wrong decisions, wrong movements, et cetera. Oh, great. Thank you. End_time: 01:12:28