" Used ... "

“ ... You come walkin' round here

Actin' like we're somethin', ohh

Then you up and disappear

And make it real clear that we're nothin'

I've been used

Damaged by you

Yeah cuz I've been used

Guess I knew

Cuz that's what you do ... “

~ Hayden Panettiere ~ Used ~

***

The catch phrase used these days is “mindfulness”.  With many defining it as “heart-mind”, being present and being fully aware in the moment.  Mindfulness can be viewed as a holistic approach or tool that can have profound affects on your mind, behaviours, habits, health and well-being.  

Yet mindfulness can and has been overused too.  Some consider it a social movement, others a lifestyle trend.  When mindfulness becomes something we do than the essence of what it is, fades.  Rather, mindfulness is a part of emotional intelligence, empathy, compassion and kindness ... which are our natural states of being.  Mindfulness is a constant not something you do once in awhile at meditation class.

And so mindfulness carries a big intention.  It has been said to be “the awareness that arises through paying attention on purpose in the present moment, and non-judgementally”

My teacher explains  that when practicing mindfulness, an intimately attentive frame of mind arises, where we experience relaxation and alertness, and overall equanimity.  Mindfulness is not a badge of enlightenment or a successful achievement.  There are no expectations or requirements.  Allowing us to BE fully and give permission for others to BE them.

Being mindful, being present as we are, authentically.  Giving our fully attention and awareness to the one in front of us in that moment.  Selecting our words with compassion and kindness. And appreciating what life has to offer, regardless of the challenge or joy.  

... its about moments. moments of being true. and being you. moments of listening to your heart. and following where it leads. moments to nurture your soul.and nourish your mind. so find your power. and stop hiding. admit your pain and fears. admit your love. and dare to live. shine your light sweet soul. all the way home ... 

www.walkstrong.ca

" Attention ... "

“ ... I'm trying to tell you

I'm trying to know you

I'm dying to show you ... 

Attention

I scratch your sweet name

Right into my skin

You left me bleeding

But I couldn't give in ... 

Sick and tired of needing your attention

I chose to be lonely than live without your

Attention

I'm standing in the pain

That's smothering me ... “

~ Tokyo Hotel ~ Attention ~

***

When we are so completely focused that our sense of individuality vanishes, then our heart-mind field of consciousness reflects only the object of focus.  Complete attention also referred to as Samadhi.  Moments when our attention is so riveted that external sensory input is completely tuned out.  We are basically in the zone, having let go of the outer world, and now experience a feeling of unity.

... by focusing so completely on one object, 

my heart-mind perceives no difference between it and me ...

Within the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, Samadhi is considered the eighth and final limb of astanga-yoga.  No perception of a subject is separate from its object.  Both seem to be one entity, uniting in the hearts minds eye even though  in physical reality the practitioner is still different from the object.

And we don’t require meditation, mindfulness and yoga to set time aside for Samadhi.  We can experience it everyday.  Anytime we get lost in something and our consciousness is completely absorbed in it, we are experiencing a type of Samadhi.  Full participation in an activity, when we are so involved in it that nothing else exists except what we are focused on doing, again, Samadhi.

... when the heart mind becomes transparent

it perfectly reflects what it perceives ...

One way of looking at Samadhi is as a sequence of steps towards complete mastery of an object ... 

• superficial stage
• our heart mind attempts to understand the object by means of our intellect alone, through reasoning, logic, inference or conjecture
• second stage 
• a subtler, deeper attempt of the mind to understand an object, with reflection and discernment
• third stage 
• joy and satisfaction of fully understanding something
• complete mastery 
• when the knowledge becomes completely internalized, part of our identity, and has merged with us, the subject

Patanjali states one who has enough faith in the divine, who truly sees the divine light inside all beings, can bypass and reach the final stages of Samadhi directly, which is very rare.  Faith provides the determination, enthusiasm and energy leading us towards the deep insight when Samadhi is accessed.  Without faith, we succumb to doubt which consumes everything in its path.

Work in process ... cultivating a clear heart mind requires time, patience and practice.  Yet the frequency of our practice creates momentum that accelerates the progress.  With sincere effort, gradual inner progress happens ... manifesting as more contentment and joy.  

www.walkstrong.ca