Oh what an absolute to gift to witness the splendor of nature in the cool morning desert air! Coyotes were still barking on the shores of the sea after a night of feeding. A multitude of various sea birds flew above my head while singing their familiar songs. So much movement, none of it hurried. Even the sun took her glorious time to rise in the sky. I'm starting to believe we humans invented hurry.
"The mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master." -Asian proverb
I never felt such freedom until I came to terms with the fact that I AM NOT MY THOUGHTS. My next question (thought) immediately following that moment: "oh shit, then who the hell am I?!"
I am the awareness that recognizes the thoughts in my head. From this moment forward my daily practice afforded me the opportunity to examine the thoughts, feelings and emotions I held so personally. Can I feel anger arise, but not be angry? Might sadness be recognized before transforming to depression?
Then someone told me stress is a mind-created dysfunction. Stress = insanity.
For example, let's say I broke my leg. I now have a pain, a physical one. Is it mandatory to add the emotional pain that is based merely in thoughts? "How will I get to work, what about jogging, or surfing or walking? Will insurance cover the costs?" The list could go an ad infinitum.
Another example: the rent is due on the first of the month. Is it absolutely necessary to consume my daily, or even hourly thoughts with, "how will I pay the rent?"
Surely we must plan and provide the means to keep ourselves sheltered, but can't I just gather the means needed to pay the rent? Let me have just one pain, please. How many layers of unnecessary pain must we add to our lives? How many can we afford to add?
And then we go on vacations because the mind says we need a break and "to get away from it all." And after so many days, the mind tells us "there's no place like home." Well which is it? Is it possible there is no one truth when it comes to the mind? Ever had an imaginary conversation with your boss at work- alone, while still in the shower? Then you arrive to the meeting and nothing you considered important is even discussed?
Are we supposed to be led around by our thoughts all day long- a never ending stream of up and down, happy and sad, proud and disappointed? Why won't we take time to examine our thoughts prior to following them down an unknown (and often scary) road? We wouldn't open a letter without glancing at the sender's name and address, would we?
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa
So for today let us choose peace. If we can create some space or awareness of our thoughts; rather than just believing in and following them because they've been thought, we might settle for peace of mind and pass on this mad roller coaster of emotions derived from thoughts.
Lovingly,
Carl
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