Yesterday was a lovely Spring morning and I was driving through the beautiful countryside of Co Wicklow to start an MBSR Course in Arklow. The mountains in the distance, the lambs playing in the fields, and the brightness of the light made it easy to feel a mind that was spacious. When that happens I find that I do not struggle with life as much. And our meditation practice is simply that – letting the mind settle, become more spacious and resting in that.
There is a foundation for our lives, a place in which our life rests. That place is nothing but the present moment, as we see, hear, experience what is. If we do not return to that place, we live our lives out of our heads. We blame others; we complain; we feel sorry for ourselves. All of these symptoms show that we’re stuck in our thoughts. We’re out of touch with the open space that is always right here.
Charlotte Joko Beck, Nothing Special
photo j h jansens
Mindfulbalance 
Beautiful photo and words. I feel open and spacious when I’m in the mountains.
Beautiful Karl. We have family in Co. Wicklow too, in the village of Delgany. 😊
Hi Chris, I hope you are doing well. You are lucky…It was particularly beautiful on a sunny Friday morning. This morning’s post and picture of the lamb jumping was propmted by the sense of life and the beauty of the fields. Karl
Im doing ok thanks Karl; had a bit of an MS flare up recntly but on the mend once again. .
Hi Karl, I have no idea how I found your site, however I read it everyday. Charlotte Yoko Beck’s book Nothing Special contains all the solutions to life matters. My experience is to remember to practice her wisdom’s. We may experience life’s challenges as overwhelming but Charlotte advises that it is Nothing Special as all we have is the Now – breathing in and breathing out … focusing on the breath.
Hi Lorraine, Thank you for reading every day. You are right, you will not go far wrong just reading Joko Beck and putting her words into practice. She pares things down to the essential basic practice. Best wishes, Karl