One Breath Mediation
Many people believe that mindfulness is a running away from
the world. But the truth is-mindfulness is running towards the world. Greeting all that we
see, hear, feel and know, in the moment, without pre-conceived judgments, releasing
attractions or repulsions. We let go of
trying to fix, change or improve what is.
Mindfulness is training the mind towards an openness and
acceptance of life and death that requires discipline and audacious courage.
Instead of “Water should taste like this...” or” You should
love me like that...”, the mindful person just notices what is. “Water
tastes like this…ummm.” Or “I
appreciate you as you are.”
Mindful teachers talk about transcending the dualistic
reality of subject and object. “I
(subject) hear rain (object) falling.” , is an example of dualistic
thinking. This is the normal state of mind for our everyday life. But in a
state of mindfulness, the experience of the subject, ‘I’ observing or
experiencing ‘that’ (object) drops away. We enter into the fullness of pure
experience, without judgement or trying to determine-does this benefit or harm
me? Then there is simply ‘rain falling’, with all the delightful sensations
that accompany those events- scent, hearing, sight. And a delicious
appreciation can arise.
Every day thinking is full of discernment-and most of the time it is
a rightful state of mind. We need this kind of dualistic thinking to survive, to
move through the day and our daily work. But the deeper parts of ourselves need
something more than the daily struggle to survive and produce. Brain research is
now showing that when we can become mindful and release the mind chatter , we
can calm the mind and body through the para-sympatric nervous system. This soothes
the primitive brain stem or lizard brain which is where our survival responses originate
and healing can take place- physically,
emotionally and spiritually. In these mindful calm abiding moment often
solutions to problems suddenly become obvious to us through aha! moments. Or we
suddenly see things differently, often more compassionately, and we go forward more
gently and effectively.
Mindful moments nourish us in many ways that we cannot fully
understand. Every being has spiritual aspects that yearn to be nourished by mindfulness
Just observe a cat mediating! We must have these moments of calmness for our physical
and emotional health. Without calm abiding experiences, we can become sick and try
to find this calmness outside of ourselves, through addictions towards someone
or something.
Mindfulness does not have to be done on a pillow nor for
long periods of time. Sometimes it is most beneficial to stop in middle of an everyday
activity and take one mindful breath. In these calm moments, subject (I) and
object (the world) become one and dualistic thinking falls away instantly (We).
We experience these moments like putting down a great burden, of coming home,
of familiarity, as love and compassionate belonging, of emptiness of ego and
overflowing of spirit.
Try This!
1)
Some times during the day, when an experience touches
you deeply, take a moment to notice it-fully. E.g. Ah, look at that tulip!
2) Stop
your activity mind and take one breath-in and out slowly. Don’t think about
anything else; just notice the phenomena which has attracted your attention. Don’t
try to understand it, or think about why it seems extraordinary. Just breathe
it in. In and out. E.g Scent, rain drops,
dark centres, pollen on stamens, green juicy stem.
3) Drop away subject (I) and object (it). Transcend
dualistic thinking. E.g. Tulip!
Don’t try
to do anything else.
Nothing
else is required.
Rain image downloaded from http://kreview.com/t-Quotes-on-rainy-days
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