Seek to grow each day, in a mildly different way, than what you observed about yourself the day before. Stop what you’re doing, letting the mundane day-to-day come to a halt. Once the forward motion that stirred up so much commotion, day in and day out, also ceases, then you can get a glimpse into the inner workings of your mind. Best to wear goggles (similar to those worn by members of Dorothy’s entourage in “The Wizard of Oz”) for this simple meditative exercise, because what you see is nothing short of amazing. Thoughts like waves in the ocean crash relentlessly against the shore of our subtler consciousness, a source of energy, yet, for many, we unconsciously, tirelessly avoid getting to know. Now, with our body calm, the mind – though it seems busy – now too is calm(er), allowing one to analyze any object that is worthy of analysis. Now, at this point of greater inner peace, and through an analytical process made possible from this slowing down, one can begin to embark on what more than likely will be a multifaceted process, complete with plenty of ups and downs, on the path to a more sustained improvement in one’s being.
Everyday, and quite ordinary, life experiences, being much more confusing and hectic than we like to admit, does not easily lend itself to much improvement. We can suffer under the weight of our choices, which always have effects – sometimes positive, sometimes negative. We attempt to sustain positive effects, or mitigate negative effects through subsequent actions; many times, however, negating previous positive effects, and instead sustaining negative effects in the process. Change is constant. All we have to do – simple in theory, complex in application – is pay more attention to the thoughts that rise ceaselessly from somewhere in the mind. Action begins with a thought, even though we may not always be conscious of this simple fact. Rationalizing our actions is usually a thinking process that happens after the fact, again, usually in a vain attempt to mitigate or substantiate the result of said action, and are not the thoughts that proceed most actions. In a nutshell, we want to look under the hood of our everyday thinking (rationalizing). By sticking our head beneath the surface of everyday thought, we will be amazed – though usually first overwhelmed – at how much thinking is actually going on in the subtler consciousness of the mind. Once we actually start seeing the bureaucracy of thought – running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – calmness is gained and the heavy lifting of analysis can begin. In seeing the depth to which we think, we become more thoughtful, which has the tendency to produce improved long term outcomes with less effort expended, both physically and emotionally. Life begins to not be so overwhelming. Our actions are more purposeful, a deeper faith arises, sanity overtakes us, and for some of us, we breathe easier for the first time in a long time. Life has meaning and action has a lesson to be learned, not a effect to be further distorted. Start today what will be a regular regime of sitting still and listening to the breath that has been there since day one. Begin the journey of understanding and more efficient living that is our birthright; in the process, letting kindness spring forth from the more genuine being you have always been.
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