We are currently faced with another opportunity to check in with our thoughts, emotions, and reactions to the chaos in the world. Isn’t it great that we have these endless opportunities to practice mindfulness every day? Sometimes we miss those little opportunities and then we are blind-sided by one or two that hit us over the head. This is where mindfulness comes into play. Mindfulness in every step and every breath affords us the opportunity to integrate each moment into our everyday experience. Maybe you’re thinking you don’t feel like integrating this experience into your life because you’re not ready to let it go. Perhaps you would rather just ignore it by pushing it down into the recesses of your mind. However, let me remind you that you will not be able to bury these thoughts and feelings deep enough, because whatever you bury just resurfaces at another time. This statement bears repeating just in case you have forgotten, “The world is an outside picture of your internal condition.” This quote is directly from A Course in Miracles but there are similar ones in Buddhism. There is one that I practice every day by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Peace in myself. Peace in the world.” These words are simple yet poignant and perhaps not easy to integrate into our everyday experiences. I do, however, believe that with practice it does get easier every day.
If we do not take the opportunity daily to integrate peace into our lives, I suggest you ask yourself, why not? Every moment of our day gives us fertile opportunities to practice. When something is stated in the news, on a podcast, in an article or by someone close to you there is an opportunity to smile and practice going deeper. What am I contributing to this situation that presented this outcome to me? Then say to yourself, “Are you sure, I interpreted that comment right.” You know of course that we can never be absolutely sure because there is no absolute certainty in the world, we live in. There are no guarantees in life.
I also suggest that you integrate, The Five Mindfulness Practices into your daily practice. If you are unfamiliar with this practice I refer to this link, https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/the-5-mindfulness-trainings/. The mindfulness trainings are very helpful in renewing your commitment to practice living in the moment mindfully, with compassion, understanding and insight. The mindfulness trainings are precepts that were instituted during the times of the Buddha and are the foundation of the Buddhist practice. When we take time to practice these precepts, we can better cool the flames in our own minds. Furthermore, when we calm our own minds, this then is projected into the world. The world we live in is currently in need of all our practices. I challenge you all to build a mindful practice for the greater good of all beings.
Namaste and thank you for taking time to read this blog.
Truer words were never spoken. I have to literally say out loud, “STOP” to get my mind to stop spinning and slow down. I’m not so sure I can look at all my stressful opportunities as “wonderful.” It’s more like herding cats to me. I keep practicing all the time. It does help! Thank you, Linda ??
This has been particularly relevant in my life. A lot of situations can be blurred by unskillful thinking. Sometimes a situation can be contaminated by past emotional trauma. When you get into the habit of identifying and recognizing this, you will start to see how often your initial perspectives were not the most effective, productive, or skillful ones. And instead of becoming the rip in the fabric, you become the threads that mend together the garments of friendship and love.
Peace is such a powerful word. If we could all experiene it a little more, the world would be a better place. Not to mention our responsibility to make it happen in this chaotic world. It doesn’t take much to try a little harder, experience the task (or mindfulness) and take refuge in the outcome. Thank you Linda for making me more aware of what my priorities should (and will) be. You never cease to amaze me.