I could have gotten upset today. And I chose not to. Even better, I was able to calm my friend down.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the memory of all the times before when I had been in similar situations. And I had let myself be had by the circumstances. Overtaken by fear, or anger.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the memory of how bad it had felt each time.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the love of this life, too precious to be wasted any longer, even for just a moment.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the possibility of deep, unconditional happiness, right here.
This is what happens when one pays attention, over and over again. This is the reward of practice.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the memory of all the times before when I had been in similar situations. And I had let myself be had by the circumstances. Overtaken by fear, or anger.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the memory of how bad it had felt each time.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the love of this life, too precious to be wasted any longer, even for just a moment.
What persuaded me to dwell in peace was the possibility of deep, unconditional happiness, right here.
This is what happens when one pays attention, over and over again. This is the reward of practice.
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Great reminder that practice plus experience produces wisdom.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Marguerite.
Yes, if we don't pay attention, we don't get to register the effect of our thoughts, actions on our happiness, and hence miss out on the great experiment of a life lived in mindfulness.
ReplyDeleteA nice example of how wisdom and compassion are the fruits of practice.
ReplyDeleteThank you David. It is interesting how much misunderstanding there is of what mindfulness practice really is and of its intention.
ReplyDelete