I learned something cool today: meditation is being in the present.
Why is that so amazing? Because it is SO RARE! For a while I've thought about how most (if not all) of human emotional problems/issues, whatever you want to call them, originate out of people living (or dwelling momentarily) in the past or fearing the future. Harboring feelings from the past of pain, trauma, loneliness, rejection, judgment, resentment, jealousy, loss, .....whatever it is... this occupies our minds. Our thoughts dictate our emotions. Going deeper, to the unconscious mind, our beliefs dictate our thoughts.
Other people have fears and phobias. These can relate to incidents from the past - past incidents may have formulated very strong beliefs and so we project them into the future with fear. Anxiety, worry, anticipation, "what ifs"..... concern about the future cause us more trouble.
Being in the present = meditation. The unconscious mind does not know the difference between past and future - everything is present. So when we are literally totally focused on the moment, we are open to the power of our unconscious mind.
Don't get what I'm talking about? Pick a time, whether you're alone, with kids, spouse, anyone, and try to be present - meaning, focus on every one of your 5 senses and what you're experiencing in that moment. See how hard it is to keep your conscious mind on track.
Coolest exercise I discovered - take a bath. Slip down into the water til your ears are under water. This will bring you right into the present as you can hear your own breathing AND your heartbeat. Focus on that. See how long you can stay focused on that.
I now realize that we don't live in the present very often or easily - and we therefore miss a lot of inspiration that comes in the present - not in the past or future - but in the present.
This is BIG for me - just try it. See what happens with your kids or your spouse when you are with them and TOTALLY PRESENT. Amazing.
(Thanks Kami Mitchell!)
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3 comments:
love it. i think that's why i'm hooked on yoga. being fully present in the moment for a sustained length of time. it's true, so many of us tend to wander through life totally disconnected and disassociated.
the mentoring post below was fantastic too! i think it's coming soon, the wave of mass realization that education and learning is not "school." school is the ONLY place where someone can "fail" at learning. such a strange construct we've set up.
Angel, love the posts. Before I forget, there is a home for sale across the street from the 900 South chapel. It looks like the perfect Mormon family home. Let me know what you think.
Like so many other things in life~ practice makes perfect. I am far from perfect, but the more often I meditate (I do go to yoga at least twice a week) the easier it is for me to slip into and recognize the present.
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