January 13, 2010 @ 4:43 pm

Episode 131 : Escape

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8 Comments »

1. Posted by Eric Normand

   January 13, 2010 @ 10:43 pm

   Patrick,

   Maybe you’re reading too much into those comments on Gwen’s blog. I agree with you that we often fantasize that things are better elsewhere, that if only we had something else we’d be happy. We should focus on our reality and our internal life.

   But, I just reread those comments (including mine!) and I only found a slight trace of that. Most of it just seemed to agree with Gwen that life is different in Costa Rica in certain palpable ways. And one of those ways is the pace of life.

   I suppose I’m just reacting because I just quit my job. I really tried to be happy while I worked there. I meditated, did yoga and Tai Chi. But nothing really worked. I think the reason was sleep deprivation. So, while I was craving some external condition that was not the case, now that I have it, I feel orders of magnitude better. My meditation practice is going somewhere. I think more clearly. I am happier.

   And I can only imagine that having a relaxing environment to live in would enhance that. Why would monks move out to the monastery if it didn’t help them?

   Thanks for the thought provoking discussion.

   Eric

2. Posted by admin

   January 13, 2010 @ 10:46 pm

   Re: Eric,

   It isn’t that we shouldn’t go for the best living situation we can get. It’s just thinking that by only changing the living situation everything else will sort itself out where people become frustrated.

   Suffering will always fill its container, even if it’s a well fed, happy job and home container.

3. Posted by Wade

   January 14, 2010 @ 7:12 pm

   I’ve been listening for a while now and you guys warm my soul. I’m practicing Zen in Indiana and you two make me feel connected to the dharma in a realistic way. Keep it up!

4. Posted by Seabass

   January 15, 2010 @ 6:58 am

   I don’t have rats, but we did have a mouse in our apartment a couple months ago.

5. Posted by Daniel Oates

   January 19, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

   Southern Alabama seems to suck a bit. Here is why. There is no such thing as a 3G network and I want one for my iPhone. There are no Yoga studios and why should I have to work on my practice on my own? When I go to the grocery store I can’t even find arrow root powder let alone kombucha tea. Beer is unavailable in larger sized bottles so when I did find a place with some nice Belgian ales they only had the small size. There are no CrossFit gyms and I am having to piece together things at my home and LEARN how to take care of myself.

   I think I have to say that about 100% of what sucks about this place is me.

   I do have an iPhone and guess what… I have a Yoga App. The grocery store DOES have fresh produce, there is a local butcher with hormone free meat and I did find 3 kinds of “Redneck Pepper” in aisle 5. The fact that they have a good beer selection is great since the laws regarding alcohol percentage in their beer only changed recently. Even the guy that founded CrossFit started in a garage gym and there is a whole community online with free advice on how to make it work.

   Self reliance kinda rock once the whining stops. I’m working on it.

6. Posted by admin

   January 19, 2010 @ 7:51 pm

   You should PCP yourself Daniel O!

   Patrick

7. Posted by Sam

   January 20, 2010 @ 7:21 pm

   Fun podcast you two! Although Gwen’s side was recorded in my home I was out at the time and had no idea the content would include my comment on her post. Gwen, you were QUITE tranquila with your cookies (nom nom nom) and tropical birds in the background.

   We all need reminding of how we’d like our daily lives to be, I too am often reminded while on vacation. G, hope you got back safely and are easing back into “real life” with some elements of pura vida.

   Patrick, you’re a riot.

8. Posted by Daniel Oates

   January 20, 2010 @ 7:32 pm

   Patrick,

   PCP (Peak Conditioning Project) looks like it has really come along way. I remember trying to check it out a long time ago and couldn’t quite figure it out. Your setup looks AMAZING now. What a great idea! Love the small group support. I’ll talk with you more outside of the posts. Thanks for suggesting it.

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