The simple truth is that seeing what is happening now is a joyful and peaceful place to be.  Not this morning, not an hour ago and not ‘today’…..right now.

These are some things that I have enjoyed the very moment I looked at their very image and so I captured it quickly and kept soaking IT in.  When we let the moment soak in and impress the details of the moment on our every cell we have the opportunity to see Source within us and outside of us.

Any moment you find yourself watching, curious, inspired or bored – soak it all in with the same detail that you might soak in your last hour on earth.  Look at it as if you are memorizing it out of pure fascination.

Practice this and with time is will start becoming a habit, one of the best pieces of childhood that we CAN have back.

ne touche pas  translation do not touch

 

Years ago, my daughter and I were watching short clips of French videos to spend time with the language.  We came across one of a man being told not to push the red button in a space craft simulator.  In the end, he could not resist and pressed the red button causing the simulator to mimic taking off which my then 5 year old thought was hilarious, replaying the recording many times.

I am now reminded of this scene in thinking of the simulator as being much like the relentless, running mind.  That red button can be irresistible to press.  It’s irresistible in it’s mindless, routine nature.  “Mindless” is used here to imply lack of awareness of the thinker and the inability to perceive this as separate from you.

You are not your mind.

You are so much more.

In the beginning days of learning to stop the mind and thought patterns of old, I found it most useful to imagine myself sitting on a wooden bench by a highway.  I imaged my mind as the highway with cars representing my thoughts speeding by.  In placing myself on that bench next to the highway, I took the first step in creating separation from the mind.  Once I was separate from my mind, I could become the observer of thoughts.  In the beginning I could only slow the cars down and sometimes I found that I would go along with one.  When that happened I would practice forgiveness towards myself, hop out of the car and go back to the bench.  Eventually, there were less cars and sitting on the bench was peaceful.  With more and more practice, I could come to the bench and see no cars for longer stretches of time and that highway looked almost like a soothing black river.  This gave me an incredible sense of freedom.

So if you decide you would like to become separate from your mind to take a seat by the busy highway of thoughts and possibly let it become a deep body of quiet water,  I think it would be well worth your time.  Once you’ve learned to manage the mindscene and you’re out dealing with the realities of life, remember that you don’t have to touch the big red button if you don’t want to.

You can give the mind a rest.

Post by Jessica:

Many of us have anger, depression and resentment that lives in our present life. Many have fear and worry that lives in our day today. These two pieces, which are past and future soaking, is a mindfulness practice that often leads to unhealthy connections, medications, and countless dollars spent to try to ‘find happiness’. We may see a Positive Polly walking around and either wish we had the secret pill or simply secretly despise them for being so darn cheerful all of the time! What the hell are they so happy about?? Don’t they see the news? Don’t they have bills? Hasn’t their heart been broken or humiliated lately like everyone else???

There is a trick, it’s not a miracle when practiced once or twice- however, it can be a miracle when practiced consistently. This is the act of realizing what you are doing- NOW. We drink, eat, breath, speak, drive and even argue in habits. Old habits like an automatic pilot while we grind our teeth about the past and ring out our palms about the future. Our backs, hearts and guts are tremendously affected and harmed in this lifestyle. It is a constant life of stress. It is a negative Mindfulness.

To begin change, start noticing what you are doing, what thoughts are running through your mind, what loops are skipping and where you are breathing. The present moment has sensations and actions ready to soak in and experience. The problem comes in with our autopilot. We are miserably obsessed with what happened and what might happen. There is then the absolute inability to ever really know and feel and smell and experience what IS happening. Your body and mind are thirsty for the present moment- so:
Where are you breathing in your torso, what are you smelling right now, what are you seeing and can you sit and wait to look at the next thought that float in? When you step outside- what sensations can you feel, smell and hear?

Repeat as often as possible. There is peace and positivity right HERE and right NOW but you do have to sit and soak in the now to ‘have’ it. Not soaking into 5 minutes ago or last year. Not soaking into 5 minutes from now or next week or retirement. Life is now. And now. And now.

’Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in this present moment, I know that this is a wonderful moment.’
-Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Oftentimes the most difficult thing to face in relationships, is that what we spy as a shortcoming in another is possibly a failing in ourselves.  Viewing the issues with others as a reflection of what needs work in yourself can be a useful tool in personal growth, presenting a path for you to be a more present listener, objective participant, and supportive partner or friend.  If you think someone you are interacting with needs to improve their communication, be aware of your own communication.  If you feel someone is not noticing your efforts, take a look at your expressions towards the efforts given.  If you hold high expectations of others, watch your own gauge and keep a loving heart towards yourself and others.

Try to stay open to suggestions from those who care for you, and are actively involved with your patterns and day to day living! Part of the beauty of interacting with others besides connection and the realization of expansive, unconditional love is the role we can play in holding an honest mirror up for one another.

Sometimes the interactions that carry tension are those that can bring us the most growth when released through understanding.

We are all a work in progress.

A nest of crows live  close to my home.  I see and hear them often.  I have become a witness to their habits.  This weekend I took pause by a window and found I was not alone.  There was a beautiful black feathered friend in a tree to my left.  Whenever I spy a crow on their own I typically look for the others straight away, because they are rarely without companionship.   Preoccupied with other thoughts in this moment, I didn’t rush to look for other crows but appreciated the presence of this one crow and his view of the creek and wooded land below.  I was glad for the company and reminded of the importance in viewing situations from a ‘higher’ perspective.  I scanned the land visible from the window too and soon spotted another crow on the ground just beyond the creek.  After a few moments, the crow flew from the ground to a high branch in a neighboring tree and the initial crow I spotted flew down for his time on the ground.

Alongside broad perspective, looking out for others and the companionship of helpmates were also on display in this short timespan.

I felt a bow of recognition was due to those who so naturally do what we, as humans, sometimes become disconnected from doing.  Oftentimes we disengage from the promptings of our heart and the fellowship of community, leading us to harbor a narrow view and perhaps a sometimes lonely experience.

Here’s to the crows for reminding us about the importance of helping others, taking turns, and looking at life from a broad perspective.  

 

Find a community this weekend.   A tribe that brings lightness and ease and fun – stick with them and get something done, whether it’s a project, meal or event.  Find some birds of a feather and FLOCK TOGETHER!!!

An affirmation for acceptance and allowance of the mind through understanding with the heart:

I breathe deep into my chest, filling it with fresh, cleansing air, and I look into the eyes of another to see the soul of them, the God in them.  I speak my truths and make allowance for whatever that may be for others.

I am accepting of differences and I do not falter because of these, but embrace the varied perspectives of those who speak with me, and hold space for them to speak freely.

There are many ways to view a topic and no right or wrong perception, only what each person presents as their current understanding.  I embrace the offering of everyone I encounter for where they are and who they are in this moment.

“It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down.”

George MacDonald

I risk showing you a piece of my ‘actively loved and cluttered house’ to show how much my 4 year old loved this Yoga channel on Youtube.  Cosmo Yoga for Kids.  Check if out this weekend with some young people in your life.  This woman brings together yoga and body movement with popular movies, stories and holidays in 3-18 min clips.

She’s brilliant.