I’ve been having the weirdest experiences during my meditation practices. I think I’m actually present!
I’ve been practicing more regularly, beyond just my daily quiet time with a cup of tea, and it feels good. It especially feels good because I’m much more aware of myself, my brain, my body, and my thought patterns. Which feels good.
Some time ago I happened upon an interview with (ABC News Anchor) Dan Harris on mindful.org. He’s actually interviewing meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein about “The Victory of Being Lost in Thought.” They talk about reframing the moment you wake up to the fact that you’re lost in thought by thinking, “how amazing.” How amazing it is that I’ve noticed – that I’m present enough to be aware of – the fact that I’m lost in thought.
That clicked for me. There seem to be many more moments when I’m not lost in thought. When I’m actually present and aware only of my breathing or my butt in my chair or the breeze on my skin. Or maybe even sometimes aware of something close to nothing.
And then I get lost in thought. And then I notice that I’m lost in thought. And I realize how amazing it is that I noticed it.
There’s something so weird and also freeing about noticing a moment. Any moment. Each moment. Pausing from my typing and feeling my breath. Stopping what I‘m doing and seeing the flowers blowing in the wind. Hearing the birds chirping, so quietly that I’d miss it if I wasn’t paying attention.
How amazing. I think I’m paying attention at least a little bit more. And I think I’m more aware, and more quickly aware, when I’m not. Which feels good.
How amazing.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
I know I mostly need a vacation just for quiet, and time for uninterrupted thought and reflection. It’s the biggest challenge of a busy adult life.
It is the biggest challenge – how do we slow down and be and reflect, when there’s so much to get done? At least, that’s the self- inflicted pressure that runs in my head…until I (again) remind myself that it’s not true. Thank you for sharing Laurie!