Letting Go 3:1 …continued from Relax Your Toes to Relax Your Mind Do you always need to be right? Do you need to have the last word in any verbal exchange, especially if it’s an argument? Do you ever think: "If only people would behave the way I want them to, everything would be fine. [...]
So Easy, Yet So Hard You need no special skills to face a quiet corner—no special talents, no special brainpower. Each one of us has the raw material necessary. Desire is a requirement, but if you’re reading this, you already have that. Simply set some time aside, choose a spot, get comfortable, breathe, and voilà—a [...]
Just getting through a typical day without ending up exhausted or embittered can sometimes be so daunting that when faced with some of the larger challenges of life we seem to have no energy resources left for the fight. So we let the major events take control and toss us to and fro, all the [...]
Seeing the Big Picture 2:7 …continued from God is in the Details As we progress through our lives and construct layer upon layer of protection, our true self may get buried and lost to us, if only partially. No wonder we have trouble getting to it—we’ve crushed it beneath the defenses we learn that help [...]
The garbage needs to be emptied. The cat’s claws need to be clipped. The back closet needs cleaning, and that letter to Aunt Flo simply can’t wait any longer. As you approach or think about entering your quiet corner for meditation practice, you may be distracted by the need to do something else. Don’t be [...]
Seeing the Big Picture 2:6 …continued from Learning to See Again If you take the suggestions outlined here, you will begin to notice your awareness blossom. As you open to your world, start paying attention to the details around you. One small thing you can do to constantly remind yourself to stay alert, to keep [...]
One purpose of our practice is to enjoy our old age. But we can’t fool ourselves. Only sincere practice will work. Suzuki Roshi Boun's Buddhas We have been conditioned to withdraw our awareness from the unpleasant. Break that imprinting! Whatever limits the entrance of awareness limits healing. When it’s “the” pain, it has [...]
As the days pass, you will have begun to practice your breathing and homed in on a quiet corner or two. You can now begin to extend your breathing practice. Once you settle into your corner, sit down in a comfortable, relaxed position. You can sit on cushions on the floor or sit upright in [...]
Discovery 2:2 – The Second Step: Seeing Clearly & Letting Go …continued from 7 Steps to Loving What You Do – Discovery 2:1 – Seeing Clearly & Letting Go Too often we live in the future, especially when it comes to our jobs. We live for the weekend, we can’t wait for vacations, we spend [...]
You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. Thomas Merton If we are not intentional and mindful in our work, then [...]
