Comments for SoSolitary...Living life in a whole different light http://sosolitary.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:21:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The Phone Message by heather* http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/the-phone-message/#comment-15 heather* Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:21:18 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-15 i just listened to this for the first time... i really needed to hear her voice, i miss her so much i actually feel sick... i'm glad you have this on here, thank you Mark... i love you... i just listened to this for the first time… i really needed to hear her voice, i miss her so much i actually feel sick… i’m glad you have this on here, thank you Mark… i love you…

]]> Comment on The Sign on the Wall by Chris T. http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/the-sign-on-the-wall/#comment-14 Chris T. Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:22:46 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-14 Waiting is definitely an art, that's for sure. I confess that I tend to devour the magazines in the waiting room and have to stop myself from taking them. But it's how I catch up on the latest gossip or politics or diet or whatever. I also make sure to bring plenty of knitting. In fact, I never go anywhere without it anymore. Waiting is definitely an art, that’s for sure. I confess that I tend to devour the magazines in the waiting room and have to stop myself from taking them. But it’s how I catch up on the latest gossip or politics or diet or whatever. I also make sure to bring plenty of knitting. In fact, I never go anywhere without it anymore.

]]> Comment on Sillyness in Empire, Michigan by mark sherman slane http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/sillyness-in-empire-michigan/#comment-13 mark sherman slane Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:40:07 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=10#comment-13 need bad ring bologna. need bad ring bologna.

]]> Comment on Sillyness in Empire, Michigan by mark sherman slane http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/sillyness-in-empire-michigan/#comment-12 mark sherman slane Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:04:51 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=10#comment-12 support groups...my little fiascos pale next to your's, but my sanity is tested often enough to provide me with insight. a little kindness and thoughtfulness from others is as important as food and sunlight: sadness makes one feel invisible, cold, and terrified. a little touch of human warmth can get you through the hour, the day--and the night. love becomes a commodity--measured, stored, and appreciated. support groups…my little fiascos pale next to your’s, but my sanity is tested often enough to provide me with insight. a little kindness and thoughtfulness from others is as important as food and sunlight: sadness makes one feel invisible, cold, and terrified. a little touch of human warmth can get you through the hour, the day–and the night. love becomes a commodity–measured, stored, and appreciated.

]]> Comment on The Pain of Life by Kris Vockler http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/the-pain-of-life/#comment-11 Kris Vockler Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:42:06 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-11 Mark, I really wanted to comment on this. Since we have not seen each other in many years, I wanted to tell you about my study of Buddhism for the last 7 years and how clear of a Buddhist msg your post is. You are right, we all feel pain and suffering, it's human and we can't get out of it. Often we run from pain and flock to pleasure, why not, heck it's a lot better. But is it? Of course one could do as you first mention and wallow in pain to the point that it controls you, but as you stated that's no good. Buddha said that we can not escape pain and suffering, but we can run from it and let it control us. Yet he told of another way to deal with it, to be with it. Observe it and meditate on what it feels like to be in this. Letting your mind say; "Aaah this is what this feels like". Not allowing it to control and not allowing your mind to run, you just sit with it and observe it. It takes practice and don't expect the suffering to end, rather it changes. Where it changes is you might see the following: nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass, suffering need not control you but it is a vital part of your humanness, and finally that there truly are wonderful gifts that arise from observing pain and suffering head on. You might be interested in some things myself and others have written on the subject at www.beyondzen.org. Hope it helps, if I hadn't seen that you were already on the path then I wouldn't have said anything as it's hard to understand until one realizes what you have already. With much love and compassion, may you and all sentient beings be free of suffering, this is my wish and pledge to you. Kris Mark, I really wanted to comment on this. Since we have not seen each other in many years, I wanted to tell you about my study of Buddhism for the last 7 years and how clear of a Buddhist msg your post is.

You are right, we all feel pain and suffering, it’s human and we can’t get out of it. Often we run from pain and flock to pleasure, why not, heck it’s a lot better. But is it?

Of course one could do as you first mention and wallow in pain to the point that it controls you, but as you stated that’s no good.

Buddha said that we can not escape pain and suffering, but we can run from it and let it control us. Yet he told of another way to deal with it, to be with it. Observe it and meditate on what it feels like to be in this. Letting your mind say; “Aaah this is what this feels like”. Not allowing it to control and not allowing your mind to run, you just sit with it and observe it.

It takes practice and don’t expect the suffering to end, rather it changes. Where it changes is you might see the following: nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass, suffering need not control you but it is a vital part of your humanness, and finally that there truly are wonderful gifts that arise from observing pain and suffering head on.

You might be interested in some things myself and others have written on the subject at http://www.beyondzen.org. Hope it helps, if I hadn’t seen that you were already on the path then I wouldn’t have said anything as it’s hard to understand until one realizes what you have already.

With much love and compassion, may you and all sentient beings be free of suffering, this is my wish and pledge to you.

Kris

]]> Comment on The Phone Message by Kris Vockler http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/the-phone-message/#comment-10 Kris Vockler Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:25:39 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-10 Hi Mark, when we reconnected just recently I went to this site and listened to this msg. It's been some time since we have seen each other and I wish I had reconnected sooner as if I could have been a shoulder it would have been an honor. I am deeply sorry for the loss you have experienced but you are not alone, each of us have or will face the same. So, my friend, you are not alone and never allow yourself to feel that way. Your courage and compassion is an inspiration to me. Kris Hi Mark, when we reconnected just recently I went to this site and listened to this msg. It’s been some time since we have seen each other and I wish I had reconnected sooner as if I could have been a shoulder it would have been an honor.

I am deeply sorry for the loss you have experienced but you are not alone, each of us have or will face the same. So, my friend, you are not alone and never allow yourself to feel that way.

Your courage and compassion is an inspiration to me.

Kris

]]> Comment on The Phone Message by Elizabeth Crumb http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/the-phone-message/#comment-9 Elizabeth Crumb Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:38:08 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-9 Mark- In a way it is eerie to hear her voice but a wonderful reminder of how gentile her voice was. You made her so happy. I know what you mean when you say good things came out of the situation. Life events like these really open your eyes and show a whole new view on things. She would want you to see the positive. (obviously you know that!) I think about you and Aunt Bonnie, Heather and Timmy often. I am glad to see you being so open with your feelings and letting us in to get to know your and Kris' relationship. You really were incredible. (and are) She was definitely loved by the hundreds!!! Anyway, I'm rambling. I love ya and hope to see you soon! Mark- In a way it is eerie to hear her voice but a wonderful reminder of how gentile her voice was. You made her so happy. I know what you mean when you say good things came out of the situation. Life events like these really open your eyes and show a whole new view on things. She would want you to see the positive. (obviously you know that!) I think about you and Aunt Bonnie, Heather and Timmy often.

I am glad to see you being so open with your feelings and letting us in to get to know your and Kris’ relationship. You really were incredible. (and are) She was definitely loved by the hundreds!!! Anyway, I’m rambling. I love ya and hope to see you soon!

]]> Comment on Time may change me, but I can’t trace time by Chri Sicilia http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/time-may-change-me-but-i-cant-trace-time/#comment-8 Chri Sicilia Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:10:04 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=40#comment-8 Cool read. I'll see what I can do about sending you some socks:) Cool read.
I’ll see what I can do about sending you some socks:)

]]> Comment on The Icy Hand of Winter by Bonnie Forbes http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/the-icy-hand-of-winter/#comment-6 Bonnie Forbes Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:42:04 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-6 Dear Mark, Thanks Mark for telling me how you really feel about living here. I have wondered if you really like it or just feel trapped. I don't know what I would do if you were not here. It is good for our whole family and you are now one of my family. You are a very special person and you deserve better than what you have had to deal with! I am so sorry for all that you have had to go through, but it will get better, I promise. Please be patient with all of us. I love you as my son and that is why I always think I try to tell you what to do. Just take care of yourself and I pray for your happiness as our family survivesby wrapping our arms around one another and include you in our family circle. Love, Mom Bonnie Dear Mark,

Thanks Mark for telling me how you really feel about living here. I have wondered if you really like it or just feel trapped.

I don’t know what I would do if you were not here. It is good for our whole family and you are now one of my family.

You are a very special person and you deserve better than what you have had to deal with!

I am so sorry for all that you have had to go through, but it will get better, I promise. Please be patient with all of us.

I love you as my son and that is why I always think I try to tell you what to do. Just take care of yourself and I pray for your happiness as our family survivesby wrapping our arms around one another and include you in our family circle.

Love, Mom Bonnie

]]> Comment on The Pain of Life by Steph http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/the-pain-of-life/#comment-5 Steph Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:17:42 +0000 http://sosolitary.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-5 this was very helpful for me to read. thank you. this was very helpful for me to read. thank you.

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