Take a breath. Now ask yourself what you have done for the last 15 minutes - think of everything. What did you think? Did you check your phone? Did you answer an email while thinking about the next thing? How many different things did you do?
Of the things that you listed, which of them did you pay full attention to?
The reality is we are overstimulated most of the time. Electronics, email, phone, obligations, tasks, worries, ideas, conversations - they are coming at us constantly. You may be thinking when the ping for a new email goes off or the automatic notification on your phone tells you that the news has sent an urgent headline. It's constant. Even phones by the bed at night that buzzes when an email comes in.
The pattern has become part of our world and it's hard to not participate. You may find yourself on etc computer writing something and, without really thinking about it, you are on Facebook checking for the latest updates.
One of the great joys in our world is when we can be out in nature. Some get the opportunity to go beyond the reach of electronics but many of us find nature in our daily world. Those of us living in places where that is possible are blessed as long as we notice it. Walking along the river pathway with our noses into the phone is not an example of doing that.
The thinking around this came to me the other day when my cat, Mittens, nuzzled up against me. She wanted attention. So I lay there, gently petting her, listening to her purr. I realized that she wanted my full attention. So I worked at it - and work it was. I had a list of things that needed doing but that moment was about the cat - nothing else.
During the day, I tried that singular focus when interacting with people - not perfectly for sure. What I noticed is how much people increased their attention and response to me. I also noted my meditation later in the day was much better focused. Meditation is the art of listening to now but it is practiced in our activities throughout the day. It will be interesting to see what you hear from within when you do this.
Of the things that you listed, which of them did you pay full attention to?
The reality is we are overstimulated most of the time. Electronics, email, phone, obligations, tasks, worries, ideas, conversations - they are coming at us constantly. You may be thinking when the ping for a new email goes off or the automatic notification on your phone tells you that the news has sent an urgent headline. It's constant. Even phones by the bed at night that buzzes when an email comes in.
The pattern has become part of our world and it's hard to not participate. You may find yourself on etc computer writing something and, without really thinking about it, you are on Facebook checking for the latest updates.
One of the great joys in our world is when we can be out in nature. Some get the opportunity to go beyond the reach of electronics but many of us find nature in our daily world. Those of us living in places where that is possible are blessed as long as we notice it. Walking along the river pathway with our noses into the phone is not an example of doing that.
The thinking around this came to me the other day when my cat, Mittens, nuzzled up against me. She wanted attention. So I lay there, gently petting her, listening to her purr. I realized that she wanted my full attention. So I worked at it - and work it was. I had a list of things that needed doing but that moment was about the cat - nothing else.
During the day, I tried that singular focus when interacting with people - not perfectly for sure. What I noticed is how much people increased their attention and response to me. I also noted my meditation later in the day was much better focused. Meditation is the art of listening to now but it is practiced in our activities throughout the day. It will be interesting to see what you hear from within when you do this.
What is this fog I come upon?
The steps through the moss keep my pace tranquil
The trees, strongly rooted against the western storms
Offer branches that reach out to touch
Ferns tickle my legs
Moisture falls on me from the leaves above
Beyond the fog
The waves crash upon the unseen rocks
Just as the forest can be touched
The ocean beyond, just as real, can be heard
A deep breath mixes
The forest with the ocean
Moisture mixes with
Ferns, moss and salt and seaweed
The boundary between
The two realities is blurred
Such as my senses
Those consciously known and those not
Both are real
Like the forest, the known can be touched
While the unknown can only be heard
And only if you listen through the fog
© Peter Choate, 2016
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