Hello Everyone -
Hope you are all well and happy!
The statement above is quite a strong one to make about the power and effect of Mindfulness in our lives, don’t you think? Yet, it’s absolutely true!
One of the cornerstone teachings in Buddhism is that of The Four Noble Truths.
The first is the Truth of Suffering - that, we can certainly acknowledge is true - that suffering is a component of the human experience.
The second is the Truth of the Cause of Suffering - often described as wanting what we don’t have and not wanting what we do have - commonly referred to as attachment/clinging and aversion/avoiding, denying, pushing away, attempting escape. You may have noticed that neither of these includes contentment or peace of mind.
The third Truth is The Cessation of Suffering - that it can come to an end!
The fourth is The Way to that Cessation - how to do it! Mindfulness is that way.
Mindfulness has become very prominent in the media and is the subject of a great deal of research - pretty well because it is so effective in dealing with personal, relational and social forms of suffering.
Mindfulness is very simple, yet very profound. It refers to the ability to be present.
In my last post, I offered the suggestion that you stop whatever you are doing, such as reading this message, and just look around at the room you are in. Notice the pieces of furniture, pictures on the walls, the light coming into the room, the window, outside the window, for a minute or two. Go ahead. Take some time to do it. I’ll wait.
Now ask yourself, “in this moment, am I okay?”
Notice your answer. Notice the full depth of your response.
Isn’t it intriguing that when we are living in present time - just simply this moment - we can experience stillness and we are very deeply okay. As if the mind has Paused.
We can connect with our own being, with our open clarity, with the sense of the situation and how best to respond.
Why isn’t our life always clear, simple and straight-forward like this?
The answer is simple. Usually there’s a lot of interference going on, mind activity, noise generated by random thinking and firmly-held beliefs - then projecting all of this onto each brand new moment.
Not only does this rob us of our freedom and ability to live our actual life, with clarity, vitality and contentment, but they also impose perceptions which are often repetitive and outworn. They bring no joy!
It’s the difference between living in REALITY - with endless possibilities and choices, or living in a story we’re making up, and telling ourselves.
The content of these stories, these on-going narratives, can only pertain to images of “the past”, or to images of “the future”, kind of same old, same old. Neither holds the openness, sense of possibilities and vitality of being present to this unique moment of our life, occurring now.
Our actual life only ever takes place NOW and we can be open to welcome each moment as it flows.
Stopping periodically throughout the day to stop, to look around, to connect with your own presence is deeply restorative and enlivening. In that moment we are in touch with our own authenticity, with our own actual life. The only time we ever live is now - in this Present Moment.
Moment by moment, life is not only very manageable, but vividly alive - an open adventure. Even in a situation we might describe as “difficult”, we are free to live it in the way we think best, with interest, care, and a sense of freedom.
I edited a segment from a talk I heard recently by Byron Katie, here it is:
What a Lovely Morning! I am assuming this is also true for you! There is nothing going on in my head to interrupt that experience.
I am observant now, waiting, for some idea, concept, some memory or event in the mind - or in the mind’s eye - to interrupt this well-being, this serenity.
So far - so good!
Okay - Bring It On!
I’m waiting for some “past” or some “future” that would either depress me or bring anxiety - those stories of “not-now past” or “not-now future”.
They are invited to step forward - show themselves!
Which of them could move me from this present experience, into an illusion that attempts to replace the reality of this moment now - which continually is?
Just waiting here for a “not-now” to come like a tidal wave and take over this free-spiritedness.
So far, so good!
I’m open to SEEING it - rather than have it creep in and take over, without my awareness of what just happened!
So far, so good!
Good Morning!
I see Mindfulness as something of an up-grade as to how we can use and make the most of our mind - and our life!
I have tried my best to make it clear, it becomes more a part of us the more we practice it. I’ll speak more to that in my next post.
Meanwhile, I hope it will be an interesting - and liberating concept to “try on”, see how it fits, and experience it for yourselves! You can play with it!
I am also hoping that it will bring some spaciousness and greater confidence in how you perceive, process and respond to this unique situation we are all living together!
Continue to be Free and Happy - Right Where You Are!
I've attached a very special song for you here!
Warmest wishes and thoughts!
Lynda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEfxkSxppI4
Hope you are all well and happy!
The statement above is quite a strong one to make about the power and effect of Mindfulness in our lives, don’t you think? Yet, it’s absolutely true!
One of the cornerstone teachings in Buddhism is that of The Four Noble Truths.
The first is the Truth of Suffering - that, we can certainly acknowledge is true - that suffering is a component of the human experience.
The second is the Truth of the Cause of Suffering - often described as wanting what we don’t have and not wanting what we do have - commonly referred to as attachment/clinging and aversion/avoiding, denying, pushing away, attempting escape. You may have noticed that neither of these includes contentment or peace of mind.
The third Truth is The Cessation of Suffering - that it can come to an end!
The fourth is The Way to that Cessation - how to do it! Mindfulness is that way.
Mindfulness has become very prominent in the media and is the subject of a great deal of research - pretty well because it is so effective in dealing with personal, relational and social forms of suffering.
Mindfulness is very simple, yet very profound. It refers to the ability to be present.
In my last post, I offered the suggestion that you stop whatever you are doing, such as reading this message, and just look around at the room you are in. Notice the pieces of furniture, pictures on the walls, the light coming into the room, the window, outside the window, for a minute or two. Go ahead. Take some time to do it. I’ll wait.
Now ask yourself, “in this moment, am I okay?”
Notice your answer. Notice the full depth of your response.
Isn’t it intriguing that when we are living in present time - just simply this moment - we can experience stillness and we are very deeply okay. As if the mind has Paused.
We can connect with our own being, with our open clarity, with the sense of the situation and how best to respond.
Why isn’t our life always clear, simple and straight-forward like this?
The answer is simple. Usually there’s a lot of interference going on, mind activity, noise generated by random thinking and firmly-held beliefs - then projecting all of this onto each brand new moment.
Not only does this rob us of our freedom and ability to live our actual life, with clarity, vitality and contentment, but they also impose perceptions which are often repetitive and outworn. They bring no joy!
It’s the difference between living in REALITY - with endless possibilities and choices, or living in a story we’re making up, and telling ourselves.
The content of these stories, these on-going narratives, can only pertain to images of “the past”, or to images of “the future”, kind of same old, same old. Neither holds the openness, sense of possibilities and vitality of being present to this unique moment of our life, occurring now.
Our actual life only ever takes place NOW and we can be open to welcome each moment as it flows.
Stopping periodically throughout the day to stop, to look around, to connect with your own presence is deeply restorative and enlivening. In that moment we are in touch with our own authenticity, with our own actual life. The only time we ever live is now - in this Present Moment.
Moment by moment, life is not only very manageable, but vividly alive - an open adventure. Even in a situation we might describe as “difficult”, we are free to live it in the way we think best, with interest, care, and a sense of freedom.
I edited a segment from a talk I heard recently by Byron Katie, here it is:
What a Lovely Morning! I am assuming this is also true for you! There is nothing going on in my head to interrupt that experience.
I am observant now, waiting, for some idea, concept, some memory or event in the mind - or in the mind’s eye - to interrupt this well-being, this serenity.
So far - so good!
Okay - Bring It On!
I’m waiting for some “past” or some “future” that would either depress me or bring anxiety - those stories of “not-now past” or “not-now future”.
They are invited to step forward - show themselves!
Which of them could move me from this present experience, into an illusion that attempts to replace the reality of this moment now - which continually is?
Just waiting here for a “not-now” to come like a tidal wave and take over this free-spiritedness.
So far, so good!
I’m open to SEEING it - rather than have it creep in and take over, without my awareness of what just happened!
So far, so good!
Good Morning!
I see Mindfulness as something of an up-grade as to how we can use and make the most of our mind - and our life!
I have tried my best to make it clear, it becomes more a part of us the more we practice it. I’ll speak more to that in my next post.
Meanwhile, I hope it will be an interesting - and liberating concept to “try on”, see how it fits, and experience it for yourselves! You can play with it!
I am also hoping that it will bring some spaciousness and greater confidence in how you perceive, process and respond to this unique situation we are all living together!
Continue to be Free and Happy - Right Where You Are!
I've attached a very special song for you here!
Warmest wishes and thoughts!
Lynda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEfxkSxppI4
