“ ... I come before you with my heart in my hand
Hoping you can see me through this veil of tears
Somehow I've got to make you understand
Ah, don't you know me after all these years?
This is not the center of the universe
That's alright with me
This is not the center of the universe
But it's where I wanna be ... “
~ Eagles ~ Center Of The Universe ~
***
When we move the center of influence in our lives to events outside us, we interpret life as physical. We give so much importance to external circumstances that we lose all touch with an inner self. Everything that we think matters lies in the world outside us, and the desperate cry of our inner needs ... to love, give and belong ... go unheard. When everything that matters lies in the world outside us, we are at the mercy of manipulating events and people to gain control.
When we move the center of influence inward we feel the tendency to question everything that comes to us. We want to know why. The practice of Shravana is one of stilling your internal and external questions and learning to listen. From this point of view, we can learn to absorb and become more of the witness to life without trying to interpret meaning. The practice of Shravana relinquishes the desire to find the answers to all your questions and from this surrendering, you may find the answers come to you.
Cultivating the habit of mindfulness allows us to ask those questions, in stillness. As we delve inward, the exaggerated sensitivity to the physical level of life diminishes. The triggers to overreact to our surroundings in ways that bring on emotional and physical distress fade.
And as we practice the art of listening, Shravana, we build a powerful concentration to hear ourselves. Listening to self requires you to be more alert and attentive in the present moment. Mindful of self. Being able to live in the present moment is the ultimate goal of meditation. As you become aware of every single emerging moment, you have attained a mindful state, no longer bound to the oscillations of others ... and As we move this center of influence inward, the veil is lifted and the true nature of our minds, in all its luminosity, shines.
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