Q & A with Robina

Further to the Q & A of October 26 –

QUESTION

Dear Venerable Teacher,

I understand what you mean now, that the mind and the brain are separate, I hadn't considered that the first time I read your previous email. That is a very hopeful thing, that we can change our brain with some training by changing our thoughts. This gives me a lot of hope that I can repair the misfiring receptors in my brain with focused consciousness. That's a very deep and intriguing idea to think about, one I will have to keep reminding myself of when I get caught up in those thoughts and thinking I have no control over them, slowly but surely I can close the gap on that connection.

The same thing too applying to the anorexia and the thoughts of not deserving to eat, those can be changed too by not reacting to them and thinking differently to change that thought pattern over time. I've been working at it, trying to stop counting the calories and to try to just eat and ignore the thoughts that say to count it all and not go above a certain number. Those thoughts then can be changed too by the same principle as the OCD.

I really appreciate your insight and wisdom on this and will be putting your practice suggestions to work.

I truly appreciate what you said in your last email about focusing on my goodness and heart – that meant a lot to me.

Taking refuge with you is one of the best things I've ever done for myself.

Much love,

T

ANSWER

Well done, dearest T!

You are on the right track. Go slowly, steadily, humbly, confidently, one step at a time. That’s really the key to success.

We understand this process so well when it comes to developing our talents. We spend years practicing. But so often, when it comes to our own personality, our own self, we feel so hopeless. But don’t! It’s the same.

Basically what Buddhism is talking about is turning ourselves into a marvellous person. Of course, it takes time, but with confidence in the logic of the process, we will see results slowly slowly.

Don’t push, but be disciplined and clear with yourself.

You really are doing beautifully, never forget that!

And stay in touch, for sure.

Much love,

Robina