Disqus - Latest Comments for HERO

Re: Sometimes…

Michael Yanakiev — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:37:26 -0000

Tara -My joy! Is that you on this improvisational picture ? Centered on the Path , guided and blessed by the Creator ? - ' I knew not but the next
Would be my final inch;
This gave me that precarious gait
Some call experience.'

Re: Walking the Tightrope

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:27:49 -0000

Hi Tara ! - What a nice handling of most important concepts and tools ! Just a little add on from me :
Complex adaptive systems are all around us. Most things we take for granted are complex adaptive systems, and the agents in every system exist and behave in total ignorance of the concept but that does not impede their contribution to the system. Complex Adaptive Systems are a model for thinking about the world around us not a model for predicting what will happen. I have found that in nearly all situations I can view what is happening in Complex Adaptive Systems terms and that this opens up a variety of new options which give me more choice and more freedom. Cheers !

Re: Pinning Down How You Help Best

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:24:35 -0000

Hi Tara ! - What you are saying is so true. Everything changes !- as the ancient Greeks used to say. In order for people to be happy with their work, these three things are needed : They must be fit for it; They must not do too much of it ; And they must have a sense of success in it. Finally it is so encouraging to learn that our minds are still capable of expanding. I was on my way to think that mine is becoming a hardened pudding. :)))

Re: 6 Tips for Coping with Boredom.

Michael Yanakiev — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:40:05 -0000

Hi Gretchen ! Another thought provoking post! Somehow I decided to share a thought of mine on anxieties:
Yesterday I was having dinner with a group,and the discussion turned to the subject of anxiety. One member said that we can't get away from anxieties in
life; anxieties are necessarily part of the very part process. Now usually when I hear such remarks, I get "up tight" and ion a very superior - almost
condescending - manner I forth and ride my favorite hobby horse, which is to the effect that anxieties are not necessary in life; life can and should be lived without anxiety . I still believe this as firmly as ever. I do not claim that I personally have yet found a way to live without anxieties;
I merely believe that such a way can be found. I say this because I have consistently observed that whatever worthwhile things I have done in my life I have done without any anxiety whatever, whereas whatever anxieties I have had have all been to no useful purpose. Thus I like to tell people that it is but a superstition to believe that anxieties are necessary.
But last night I remained strangely silent throughout the conversation.
One reason is that the following thought occurred to me.
Relief of anxiety (as well as all over sufferings) is my main interest in life.
But suddenly I realized that for many people, the belief that anxieties are necessary in life, this very belief, is itself anxiety relieving ! So it is not irrational for me to tell such people that anxieties are not necessary in life
when my telling them this only arouse anxiety on their parts ?

Re: Video: Use Cues to Cultivate Mindfulness. (If You're Not Very Mindful, You'll Need Reminding.)

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 19 May 2010 07:38:33 -0000

Today I decided to follow Grethen Rubin’s advise and fill my mind with nothing, pretending
to be Mindful. Suddenly I started generating curious things :
- ‘Today I wish to talk to you about ‘ non – doing.’ Nondoing means that there is nothing to be done and nothing to be learned. So I must first talk to you about Nothing. But alas ! Any words I use to talk about nothing are apt to miss the point!’
Somehow my mind bounced and started playing around with –‘Happiness.’
- Q: Are you happy at this very moment ?
-A: In one way, yes ; in another way ,no.
- Q: Can you be more explicit ?
-A: Yes, I have just heard the first really convincing argument for the immortality of the soul. Now I know for sure that I will survive my bodily death. This makes me very happy. On the other hand, my steak is overdone.
Then came another surprise to my empty mind:

Should One Worry ?
- If one worries a lot, one is obviously unhappy, since worry itself is one of the most painful things in life. If one fails to worry enough, then (at least so I have been told) one may be even worse off because one may fail to take the precautions necessary to ward off even greater catastrophes than worry.
Who is really better off, the happy –go –lucky who enjoys himself from day to day and lets tomorrow take care of itself, or the worrying, prudential person who takes all conceivable precautions for the future but is worrying that he is not taking enough precautions ?
All my life, people have told me that my main trouble is that I do not worry enough. And I admit, that this thought has always worried me.

A blade of grass does not quiver
Unless there is a wind,
Or someone pushes it,
Rare is the blade
Which quivers for no reason whatsoever.
These blade are my favorite !
They quiver only because they want to.

Am I being mindful or I have a koan that quivers stuck up in my head ?

Re: Video: Meditate on Koans.

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:46:46 -0000

The Johnson quote,to my modest opinion deals with a growth -mindset that
the individual has developed, as to cope with issues that go beyond the conventional. Thus it should not exclude happiness...However,Veronica's
interpretation sounds also very convincing.
The best way out is always through....It is obvious..Anything else sounds artificial and tends to miss the point. So you will never truly understand a truth until you live through it..it can not be taught in a formal lesson.
"We set out to be wrecked" - I tend to agree completely with Veronica's
interpretation.

Re: “People Need To Be Reminded More Often Than They Need To Be Instructed.”

Michael Yanakiev — Mon, 10 May 2010 08:45:30 -0000

This fact makes me so happy and grateful.

Re: “People Need To Be Reminded More Often Than They Need To Be Instructed.”

Michael Yanakiev — Mon, 10 May 2010 05:20:14 -0000

Poor -Samuel Johnson! How could he generate something that trivial and obvious!? But the funny thing is that through this heavy thought he ended in the Happiness Project,without even knowing.

Re: Quiz: Are YOU the One That Everyone Finds Difficult?

Michael Yanakiev — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:37:18 -0000

Jamie! I will consider your advise most seriously and will watch my step.
Enjoy your parties .

Re: Think about Your Mother.

Michael Yanakiev — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:45:05 -0000

A very lovely and timely story. We all have had similar experiences..but how many of us are aware? Yet this urgent need to be loved and taken care of, is so basic :
Can you sometimes
just come
and hold me
to make me feel
a child again,
dependent again,
taken care of again ?

I am not strong
as I seem,
nor self- sufficient
as I choose to seem...

Re: It’s Not the Money, Honey: The Real Purpose of Business

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:04:14 -0000

Hi Tara!...This sounds so advanced ! What you are preaching today, should become our tomorrow! It sounds so motivating..,all we need is to obtain the necessary skills (Otherwise,we may end up to become motivated idiots ?! ), and harvest the targeted Results ! A beautiful envisioning of the future in a connected New World!
Cheers!

Re: Video: Take a Quiz -- How Mindful Are You?

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:27:13 -0000

Being mindful and aware is so important ! Most people are sleeping and dreaming,with their eyes open. Awareness in here and now, is a state of mind worth pursuing although very difficult to reach. Krishnamurti can be
extremely useful in teaching awareness..at least most of his books are. I can't think of someone better in all aspects of life.

Re: Thinking about Teasing -- Something I've Never Thought Much About.

Michael Yanakiev — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:47:09 -0000

A truly great post, Gretchen. Very wise also. Teasing apart , from playing creative sexual games (Conversations with other women -movie), are not
over-ally that successful. They can be a very delicate matter since -you are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.

Re: There’s No Money In It

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:54:21 -0000

Whoops! Tara,...This is a great way to put it together! I am ready to back every word of it. What a beautiful
design your block has. So impressive...Your language is naughty and very stimulating. I missed you so much!

Re: Quiz: Is the Design of Your Office Space Making You Happy? Or Driving You Crazy?

Michael Yanakiev — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:21:58 -0000

I work at home. I practice a remote job(health reasons), as a consultant and systems analyst . Practically I own an apartment of my own inside the larger one.Since my bedroom is inside, I have serious problems in coping with all these books of mine and print outs that are stealing fresh air,though I always argue with my wife about the fact. I think that she is essentially right, but I can't force myself to clean up the mess and chaos with which I am used to. My only problem is that my bedroom is practically in the enormous room,and that is not the optimal solution for my help,although I started making my bed every morning as you taught
me to do.

Re: Video: Spend Out.

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:23:27 -0000

Hi Gretchen!....Spend out is a great brick in your design.When one loves,one does not calculate! A beautiful thought indeed and very philosophical too.
In the same line I would argue.."Write all about it" -Partners spending a few moments each week committing their deepest thoughts and feelings
about their relationships to paper boosts the chances of them sticking together by over 20%. Such 'expressive writing' results in partners using more positive language when they speak to one another,leading to a healthier and happier relationship. Not a bad observation and not that obvious. Such people spend out on words ?

Re: Quiz: Are YOU the One That Everyone Finds Difficult?

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:13:37 -0000

Gretchen,....The questionnaire is some sort of cross-examination,but quiet
relevant. Yes I am a difficult person! But i think you are not an easy going one yourself. However frankly speaking I am not a hopeless case,at least in my eyes,since there are many questions that I have to answer -Sometimes,to be dead frank. Being an intellectual I feel a bit egocentric ,
but all of my kind are like that, to a certain extend. If one possess such a tremendous interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary knowledge as I do,
one simply can't help it. Otherwise nothing human is uncommon to me.
It is interesting to know what can be done about it, since practically I can
still survive anyhow?

Re: Video: Are You an Over-Buyer or an Under-Buyer? (I'm an Under-Buyer.)

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:59:03 -0000

Gretchen.....A very interesting and instructive post! If I understood you correctly, it is a wise policy to buy mainly for domestic needs and purchase
only if necessary anything else ? How often is it reasonable to buy a luxury
item no matter that we know that fully live without it,yet we are tempted to do so ? And if temptation is associated with a fear from doing so,after we have done it can it be associated with disaster/horror ?

Re: Video: Are You an Over-Buyer or an Under-Buyer? (I'm an Under-Buyer.)

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:43:24 -0000

This is a very useful and full of earthly wisdom post! I personally find it very useful. If I understand you correctly, it is a wise policy to in buying to stick
to purchasing goods for domestic purposes mainly ? How often is it reasonable to purchase a luxury item knowing that one can live perfectly well without it, yet the temptation is strong ? When can temptation be associated with fear and if one is lured into it, turn into misery or horror?

Re: “Her Happiness…Was Ever in the Future, Never Reached But Always Coming.”

Michael Yanakiev — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:27:47 -0000

A very profound quote , worth remembering on our way. Thanks for sharing.

Re: "Laughing, Using Facebook, Not Using my iPhone, and Remembering 'This Is Just Now.'"

Michael Yanakiev — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:52:03 -0000

A truly great interview! Somehow it strangely reminds me of the following
story: ' The students wanted to know the stages their teacher went through
in his spiritual growth. He answered:
- In the beginning God took me to The Land of deeds, where I spend several
years. After that He came and took me to The land of Sorrow, where I stayed until my heart got rid of all impulsive wishes. Then I reached The
Land of Love, where its fire destroyed all that was left from my ego. After that, I found the Land of Silence, and in front of my dazzled sight all the secrets of life and death were revealed.
- This must be the last stage in your spiritual development Teacher ?- asked the students.
-No - he responded. -One day our Creator told me: "Today I will guide
you in the very heart of the sacred place of God, where you can see
God's Heart." And he took me to the Land of Laughter.

Re: Six Tips for Forcing Yourself to Tackle a Dreaded Task.

Michael Yanakiev — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:41:26 -0000

Gretchen,
Reading through your posts, and being aware of how you started I can clearly see that the system you are developing works. It takes a lot of guts
to start making sense out of such a fuzzy concept as human happiness and grind it into a working system. Your approach is fascinating. I admit I have never seen something done so systemically and full of life that binds together. I am watching over and over the talks you give and what you promote only to discover that you seem to be always right. People may feel that everything is that simple, but I know that starting your project
you developed a powerful theory that incorporates things that are really useful. Thanks.

Re: Weekly Video: Buy Some Happiness.

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:19:25 -0000

You are absolutely right that it is a different issue, although somehow interrelated. I was not talking poverty to be exact. What I had in mind was these pathological societies,where the mob runs everything and the rest simply do not count, since even if they can,they are not allowed to even give it a rational try.This can be very disturbing for human happiness if the country is a member of European Union. Otherwise what you are reasoning about makes a lot of sense,although different cultures do not cultivate a high tolerance for advise under the pretext that everyone should take care of his own garden.But I guess what I really want to say is that I find your answer very enlightening. Thanks.

Re: Weekly Video: Buy Some Happiness.

Michael Yanakiev — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:19:37 -0000

Gretchen! All this sounds more than convincing. However if we are stuck with a pathological social system? One that does not generate wealth and doesn't allow earning more money, since in sick societies this is
practically impossible. Then how are you going to boost your mindset as to come close to a stage that can work out miracles, increase your
money and start enjoying the benefits of the situation ? Why don't we calmly admit that we are talking again about the privileged ones, who are
pleasantly thinking on how to improve their health and amuse themselves with their pets. What is left for the rest of us ? Make revolutions?

Re: Happiness: There's No Place Like Home.

Michael Yanakiev — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:06:48 -0000

Gretchen,
I can't stop marveling about your ability to always show up with a real story
that holds all your attention and makes one want to reflect deeper on the
the issues. This needs a true talent and beyond. I have never seen anybody write with such an ease on happiness,making you love every bit of the story. Your post was another beauty from your impressive collection. You never skip anything do you ? You really had me quoting
The Style Maniac. The French kiss gave a very interesting insight.