Cultivating Awareness
Last week I discussed the possibility of liberation from conditioned self-soothing behaviors that occur in response to negatively charged emotions.
In my opinion, the first step in learning this process is awareness.
What Does it Mean to "Live in Flow"?
I find a penny on the ground. Parking spaces open up. The answers to questions pop into my head effortlessly. The right person shows up at the right time. I can't stop smiling. I feel sincere love and appreciation for all beings, even those with whom I have previously felt annoyance. The world feels magical.
This is what I feel like when I am living in flow.
Meditation and Making Space for Choices
"Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom."
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
When Tom and I started a daily meditation practice a little over a year ago, we didn't really have expectations for results. Honestly, we did it because- like eating kale- we'd heard it was good for you.
After about a month of regular sessions we noticed a shift. We both reported experiencing an overall, steady sense of calm. We were less reactive in our jobs.