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My phone rings. I pick up to that recorded female voice that informs me of wrong numbers, network errors and other cell phone issues. This time she says, “Sorry you’re having trouble. Please try again later.” Click. Wow. She’s so right. It’s like she had said, “Before you do anything, count to 10” or maybe, “Sleep on it.” And really, she was so friendly about the whole thing. She even said please. I wasn’t really having trouble at that moment, but next time, I think I will step back and try again later.
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That’s the first reminder that comes up on my PDA everyday. It hits somewhere between rolling out of bed and figuring out breakfast. By that time, my mind has made several attempts to plan my day. Most times, it has informed me that not everything I want to get done will get done, and I need to start panicking. Luckily, I don’t believe that one nearly as much anymore. So, it tells me there is nothing to eat. That I don’t have enough money. That I don’t exercise enough or do anything anyway, ya no good lazy bum. Pretty much anything to get a rise out me. Minds are like that, I think. Then, Today is an Adventure… Ahh yes, I had forgotten that again. I had forgotten that everything that happens today is something I can pay attention to, something I can relish for the emotions it evokes in me, the challenges it presents. I’d forgotten that I can indulge and feel deeply the good and the bad. That my expectations will most likely be shattered by 9am anyway and then I’m off into the surprise of whatever happens. Besides, once I let go of all that stress, everything that needs doing gets done. And in between the tasks, I find myself in stimulating conversations that I may otherwise have rushed past. I find myself breathing more deeply. Noticing the clouds. Feeling my joy. I’m more relaxed and more excited at the same time. Even on days that are filled with frustration and computer problems and bank errors and general stupidness of the entire planet (you know you’ve had those days), if I can remember that today, this moment, is another adventure, I’m not nearly so decimated by it all. It’s almost as if I’m watching myself, in mild amusement, as I boil because the printer once again refused to print. And then it all works out one way or the other. And I can thank the gods that at least it’s done. Today though, I was lucky enough to get reminded twice of the adventure. Remember the daily peace quote? Well, this is today’s: “Consciousness is always open to many possibilities because it involves play. It is always an adventure.” -- Julian Jaynes. I love how that happens.
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For many people, one of the biggest problems with meditation is finding the time. Who has an extra 30 minutes a day to sit and desperately attempt to quiet the mind? It takes serious discipline to make that a practice, especially when piled on top of work and exercise and foraging for the next meal and relating with people and cleaning the house and everything else .That's one of the reasons I love this book. You see, what you really don't have is an extra 30 minutes in a row. You do have driving time and eating time and pauses while you wait for your computer to catch up. Mark Thornton's Meditation in a New York Minute takes advantage of all those extra moments (way more than 30, by the way) and shows you how to use them to destress your life. He has numerous exercises on how to do this, ranging from simple to advanced. For example, why not put an alarm on your PDA to remind you to take a deep breath? I have something like that on mine - and occassionally I'll change the alarm time or the message to help me see it in a new light. My favorites activities are, of course, those that help you really develop an awareness of your body - when you're eating, walking, brushing your teeth, working in the garden. I often encourage my clients to do the same with their senses - anywhere, anytime - feel the experience of life in that moment. After all, the input is there. We're always smelling, tasting, hearing, touching, seeing. Simply allow yourself to notice. |
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Meditation ,
Spiritual Practice ,
Everyday Ecstasy ,
Being in the Moment ,
Mindfulness ,
Books
 Right before Valentine's Day, The New York Times asked college students to comment on their views about love. Last week, the winning essay, "Want to Be My Boyfriend? Please Define", was published in the Modern Love column. Fascinating. Disturbing. And not surprising that the old myths of romance and roses seem to have changed. Is this essay a picture of love in the 21st century? Post your comments below. Feel free to email me as well. Each Sunday from Mother's Day to Father's Day, the runners up will be published. I'll be curious to see if any roses made the cut. You may have to register with the Times to read the article. Don't worry: Free and painless. |
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In the solitude of your mind are the answers to all your questions about life. You must take the time to ask and listen. ~Bawa Mahaiyaddeen This from the Daily Peace Quote, sent to you by email from Living Compassion. Occassionally, one of them really strikes me, and this is one of my favorites. I hope you like it too. |
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