December 2010 – Page 7 – Mindfulbalance

Even welcoming our fears?

December 10, 2010December 10, 2010 Karl DuffyLeave a comment

In our practice we work at turning toward every aspect of our experience and holding it in awareness. At times this is hard and we can only do it for a brief moment. Some of the things that happen in a day can be unwanted, and we cannot truly say that we “welcome” it. But try this: See if you can be more aware of what your mind quickly labels as “unpleasant” or not what you “wanted” at this moment. Then see if you can name what is happening in your body and in your mind in that instant. Maybe creating this momentary space could help you see the thoughts, feelings and sensations as passing events in the field of awareness, and to not over-identify with them or be overwhelmed by them. Practicing in this way, we try to be present with all the experiences of our day rather than avoiding, contracting or pushing them away.

Can you accept the moments of anger and fear as guests,
be willing to receive them with kindness without feeling obliged to serve them a five-course meal?

Christina Feldman

Welcoming each moment as something new

December 10, 2010December 11, 2010 Karl DuffyLeave a comment

Gratefulness sprouts when we rise to the challenge of surprise. Gratefulness can be improved by practice. But where shall beginners begin? The obvious starting point is surprise. You will find that you can grow the seeds of gratefulness just by making room. If surprise happens when something unexpected shows up, let’s not expect anything at all. Let’s follow Alice Walker’s advice: “Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.”

To expect nothing may mean not taking for granted that your car will start when you turn the key. Try this and you will be surprised by a marvel of technology worthy of sincere gratitude. Or you may not be thrilled by your job, but if for a moment you can stop taking it for granted, you will taste the surprise of having a job at all, while millions are unemployed. If this makes you feel a flicker of gratefulness, you’ll be a little more joyful all day, a little more alive.

From there it is only a small step to seeing the whole universe and every smallest part of it as surprising. From the humble starting point of daily surprises, the practice of gratefulness leads to these transcendent heights. Thomas Carlyle pointed to these peaks of spiritual awareness when he wrote, “Worship is transcendent wonder” – transcendent surprise.

Brother David Steindl-Rast

Searching to be something

December 9, 2010December 9, 2010 Karl Duffy1 Comment

We practice in order to become more awake. This includes becoming more aware of the various strategies we use to avoid being with a basic fear. We have numerous ways to deflect any sense of insecurity, of not being in control, of not always being sure of where we are going. So we have a tendency to look to ourside sources or achievements for support, to define ourselves by what we do or by some labels or badges. We are often afraid of just being ourselves, because we have learnt to believe that it is not enough. And one of the preferred ways to deal with this today is that we try harder, we do more.

However, what we find when we practice is that there is nothing to do, and even less to hold on to. There is simply this moment, this breath. Nothing needs to be added to make it compete. We rest in it, and in some way we are complete in it too. We do not have to place more demands on it. We slow down the chatter in the mind. We do not have to search in order to be. And that is the greatest liberation.

The arrogant mind never stops looking for identity, and this identity always defines itself through atributes: “the beautiful one”, “the smart one”, “the creative one”, “the successful one”………. We are always searching for something to be.

Dzigar Kongtrul, Light Comes Through

I have spoken at times of a light inside, a light that is uncreated and uncreatable to the extent that we can deny ourselves and turn away from things, we shall find our unity in that little spark inside, which neither space nor time touches.

Meister Eckhart

Nominated

December 8, 2010December 8, 2010 Karl DuffyLeave a comment

Good news today: The Mindfulbalance Blog has been nominated as one of the 5 finalists in the Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests in the Blogisattva Awards. These awards honour “excellence in English-language Buddhist blogging”.

I am quite surprised but very pleased that the blog be recognized in this way. It started as a simple resource place for those who are attempting to develop a more mindful approach to their lives, providing reflections and encouragement along the path. When you look at some of the other blogs that have been nominated in this and other categories, one can see the quality of writing and depth of reflection that is out there on the internet. It is quite humbling to be included in their company. However, the main reason I am pleased is that the posts seem to be of some support to people as they try to maintain an inner life in today culture which has lost its roots. I thank all my readers and hope that you will continue to stop by once in a while!

Just get it done

December 8, 2010December 10, 2010 Karl DuffyLeave a comment

A small quote from my favourite book of the last few months, which I read on my summer holidays, and return again and again. It is a commentary on the Buddha’s first sermon, containing the foundation of Buddhist thought and practice. I recognize the truth in the words stating how a lot of our efforts are leaning forward, looking to some future pleasant feeling, reducing our awareness of what is actually happening.

Our attitude is frequently one of wanting to get it done, wanting to have it finished in order to be peaceful, to relax, or to enjoy ourselves…. We want to be a feeling.

Rushing along to be something in the next moment, we fail to open and appreciate this moment

Ajahn Sucitto, Turning the wheel of Truth