Driving

All the activities in my daily life have become part of my practice in developing a mindfulness practice. The act of pausing during a particular activity and bringing attention to my view has developed over the past several years of practice. This has brought a greater sense of stability and calmness into my life. Many times when I stop and pay attention, my mind is doing one of two things—leaning into the next moment or holding onto something that happened yesterday, a week ago or longer. 

I have learned that my mind tends to lean more than to hold onto past memories. I believe this is because I am growing a business and a family and living in an accelerated and fast time in history. I have noticed that the leaning mind can create uneasiness and perpetuate unawareness. One of the major times I notice this is when driving to and from work. More recently I have begun driving without any music or podcasts on. I watch my speed, focus on driving and relax with my breathing. It is amazing to feel the difference once arrive at my destination. 

Pausing and bringing attention to any activity with a non-judgmental state of awareness can really help you cultivate happiness. The more we give ourselves over to the activity at hand, the more the activity becomes a stabilizing exercise for your mind. The more we participate in activities physically and at the same time mentally perform something else, the more neurotic the mind can become. 

For me, consciously driving and not speeding while talking on the cell phone every time I am in the car is a real practice. It is something I will be practicing for the rest of my life. For you this could be a practice. Maybe there is something else you inattentively tend to do with your body. Try giving yourself over to the activity and notice how you feel after you complete the task. It will certainly feel different. Notice there is a calming effect when doing something physically with your full attention. That calmness is the absence of a mind that leans and clings—it is a state of mental clarity and stability. It is Being Empowered.

Right

In the Buddhist 8 Fold Path, this is the first Limb. In translating the Pali language, oftentimes the meaning can get lost in translation. The use of the word right does not indicate a world of duality like this is right and that is wrong. The use of the word right is saying this is effective and works. Right view is proper orientation within the present moment. 

The Four Noble Truths make up the spiritual compass required to guide you on your life path. The first truth is the realization of suffering. Two is the identification of the root or causes of suffering. Three is the cessation of suffering. Four is the cultivation of a life that minimizes suffering and maximizes happiness. Realization, identification, cessation and cultivation—these are the four truths often referred to as The Lion’s Roar. I personally love that—it is intense and very strong.

If you stopped 100 people on the street and asked them if they were suffering the majority are going to say no. If you change the wording to “stressed out”, the majority are going to change their answer. I believe that human beings have an incredible ability to ignore our stress. That is why we need to become sensitive to where we are getting hung up or stuck in life. In our world today there are so many different kinds of stress. All stress originates in the mind and is created by the mind and manifested by the mind. 

For instance, if you don’t eat right or exercise you are placing undo stress on your mind and body which is going to eventually lead to deeper levels of suffering as you get older. Poor self image, premature aging, type 2 diabetes (potentially), heart disease, and the list goes on and on. In this case, a poor orientation to the present moment has you inflicting stress on yourself. Moments build onto moments and the stress and suffering will compound with aging, leading to greater pain. 

How often I get caught up in misconstrued views and react to life with a lack of understanding! Being empowered is constant application and inspection of your filters and views. It is becoming aware of the thoughts that inhabit your mind with a non-judgmental awareness. It is about coming to the realization that you are more than the thoughts that populate your head. You are the awareness that can see thoughts developing and fading. Being Empowered is developing unwavering attention and cultivating the ability to discern right view from views that are going to lead to stress and undo suffering. 

6 Zen Masters

Yesterday morning, I was awakened by my daughter Leia at 6 am. Most mornings she wakes up in a good mood but not this morning. As I tended to her, I walked downstairs to our 9-year-old Yorkshire terrier “Candy” who was running to the door. If I don’t react fast enough, Candy will do her business right on the floor. I let her out as Liam was crying in the bedroom with Sara. It was Sunday morning and Sara wanted to sleep, so I went into the bedroom and picked up Liam. Sara could get a few more minutes of rest while I took both Leia and Liam into the kitchen to start the coffee. Of course, at this point, I had forgotten about Candy. I quickly remembered and went outside to find her in the street. I felt my temper rise as I heard the thoughts go through my head, “Candy, how many times have I told you about walking in the street?” As I am walked back into the house, Finny our 4-year-old and very protective Wheaten Terrier is barking at me because I am outside. That is what he does; barks! I went back inside and Leia and Liam are fighting over some toy. I quickly helped them resolve their dispute and put a cartoon on to calm them down. Sara and Jimmy are still sleeping.

At any given time, whether it is because one of my three kids, my wife, or the two dogs, life is challenging the moment. Life is not about eliminating the disturbances so you can find peace. Life is about finding peace amongst the disturbances. My 6 Zen Masters are constantly teaching me how to do this. 

You Can't Step in the Same River Twice

There is an old Zen saying that you can never step into the same river twice. This wisdom exemplifies the flowing nature of reality. This morning when you woke up you probably looked at the same walls in your house, same kitchen, same people who live in your house. It is all the same at first glance—but is it?

Today is a new day—this moment is a new moment and one you have never lived. You are a day older and the world is constantly evolving and changing. Life is like a river and every moment is different. For you to recognize this, you have to shift your perspective from overly thinking to feeling. You have to pay attention with the utmost alertness and relax around this attentiveness. Placing your attention first thing in the morning on those you live with, a pet, or nature can be an awakening experience. Really look without thinking—see clearly and feel the presence of whatever you are looking at. Take a walk outside first thing in the morning and notice nature. Feel the presence of the trees or an animal feeding. Some of these practices can make a difference in your mood and set the tempo for your day.

The mind can become like a broken record – thinking the same thing over and over again. Developing a concentration practice like mediation, yoga, or applying the art of paying attention while walking, running, gardening, etc can help stabilize your mind allow you to drop into deeper states of awareness. Being fully awake to this moment brings a freshness, sharpness, and aliveness to your life. Many of my mornings begin with my daughter Leia. She wakes up and I pull her into bed with me. As we lay together I look at her face and she gives me kisses. We tickle each other. Her presence is so pure and she always reminds me to pay attention. This time is so precious and every morning is truly new when I see her with fresh eyes. Other mornings I begin with a 6am yoga practice. I use my body and sensation as the focal point of my attention. Other mornings begin with a run. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as much as where you mind is when you are doing it.

Start to notice where your attention lies. I have learned a lot about myself by paying attention first thing in the morning. Developing some early morning practices to notice that this day is new and everything around you is new. This can become a life altering practice. It can lead to a life of “Being Empowered”.