Each time we awaken to no longer being present to ourselves or to another is, paradoxically, a moment of presence. If we are willing to see the whole of our lives as practice, our awareness of the moments when we are not present, coupled with our intention to awaken, brings us into the present.
-Saki Santorelli, Heal Thyself
No use berating oneself for not being present. Instead, allowing for the joy of being, that includes all states, and makes room for our humanness.
I feel so free!
Posts
Just be mindful of the numerous versions of you that you carry in your mind. That alone can make you start the day with a smile.
ReplyDeleteI too was taught early on that meditation by definition is the awareness that we've wandered and are willing to come back, we need only do that several hundred thousand times a day. Let's see now why am I standing in front of this open refrigerator again? Oh, yeah. Lunch!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little tired today, and thought your post said, "It's all God," but I think that'll work too!^^
ReplyDelete'Was Once' , so much freedom from including all experiences. That, I feel is one of greatest gifts of mindfulness.
ReplyDeleteHelmut, yep, I know many such moments! It's the Sharon Salzberg's story with U Pandita . . . What shoe did I tie first this morning? And why long retreat are so beneficial, to unseat deep seated habit of mindlessness. (I am currently planning my next one with Gil Fronsdal in October)
ReplyDeleteChong Go Sunim, I don't know about God . . . :) but I do know when I am mindful, and when I am not.
ReplyDeleteHi Marguerite,
ReplyDeleteIt was a revelation for me when I discovered that mindfullness also included all the normal garbage, and not making thoughts a certain way. It's amazing to me how this presence or essence exists in all the parts of our lives, in the manure, as well as the warm and friendly.
At our center in Germany, they put a huge millstone right at the garden entrance to the center - everytime I stand on that it reminds me that all our life is grist for the mill.
Love that image of the millstone! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOne of my teachers recently talked about mindfulness as 'allowing' . . . I would also add, not identifying.