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Everyday Miracles

/ oneheart / Leave a comment

As I sit during my morning meditation I became aware of all the sounds and sensations around me. The birds chirping outside, the sound of my cat washing and her warmth against my leg. The crackle and pop of the heat switching on in my room. Feeling cozy under a heavy quilt. Somehow everything seemed so sweet and I found myself in deep awe over these everyday sights, sounds and sensations. 


I was reading an article by Dr. Christine Runyan where she suggests that we look with curiosity at the world around us and savor what we see, feel and hear. She goes on to say, “that what we notice can be as ordinary as the way the light catches the curtains. If we put some effort towards noticing that which is neutral, if we can really notice, most things even neutral things become pleasant, because they become fascinating.”

What she is suggesting is actually the practice of presence. This can be done with the eyes open or closed and all that is required is to become acutely aware of what is happening around you and taking it in as if you’re seeing, feeling or hearing it for the first time. It can be like a healing balm for your mind and your nervous system. 


Let’s face it we are all growing weary of the news and the next virus mutation, wearing masks or not wearing them, vaccinations, rules and guidelines constantly changing. Even the prospect of life opening back up can be met with some trepidation and stress. The stress can cause us to feel nervous and disconnected from our center and the ongoing effects of it can be exponential.

 
This little practice can be so soothing to the mind and body and is felt immediately. Viewing the world and taking it in with freshness and innocence. Yes, I’ve heard the birds outside thousands of times but taking it in anew can be so nourishing and healing.  Eckhart Tolle’ says that we immediately label everything the moment we see it allowing us to quickly put it into a category and dismiss it. He reminds us to lift these labels and take life in without them. Really take in the majesty of an amazing tree being rooted in your yard rather than passing it each day blind to its beauty. Or the incredible winged creatures we call birds that can fly anywhere they wish without hesitation. A bird, a tree, the sunlight or moonlight these are the everyday miracles if we really take the time to drink them in. How about looking around your home and noticing how its decorated or your favorite chair? We can do this with everything and when we do it can be quite spectacular!

Looking with fresh eyes feeds your soul. 


I bet you can’t guess what this is? You’ll never guess.

A piece of paper in a muddy puddle! To me it almost looks like a line drawing!

Or how about this?

Smiley face in tree trunk.



Resist or let go?

/ oneheart / 3 Comments

Resistance, tensing up, saying “no” to what is or “no” to what is unfolding in the present moment.  We do it all the time when we don’t like, can’t deal or don’t want to face what is happening now.   I’m sure you know what I mean.

Sometimes we don’t know we are resisting but checking in with the body can reveal that tension is building. I guarantee it is playing out somewhere in your body.   Is the jaw or shoulders tight or painful?    How about your abdominal muscles or low back?   These are some very popular places where the body holds or braces itself against something undesirable.

We are taught that feeling good is more desirable than feeling bad but lets face it that isn’t how life works.  Everything will come at you; the good, the bad and the ugly and our job is to stay as clear as we can in the midst of it all.  

It’s good to keep in mind that resistance doesn’t actually do anything in the world. It doesn’t actually stop anything from happening.  What it does do is cause suffering.  The present moment will persist whether or not we resist it or flow with it. 

I love the spiritual teacher Michael Singer who wrote the book The Untethered Soul.  In it he says that you can become adept at noticing when the process of resistance kicks in.  He says, when you feel the body tense up make a conscious attempt to relax it.  Take a breath and let go and allow all the feelings to move through you.  When you do this the energy doesn’t build up in the body and cause physical or emotional suffering.  When you allow it you express it and feel it fully.  Then when it’s done it’s done instead of adding to the accumulated energy you are releasing it.  

Here is a quote from the The Untethered Soul:

“The Stuff that holds you down periodically rears its head.  When it does, let it go.  You simply permit the pain to come up into your heart and pass through.   If you do that, it will pass.  If you are sincerely seeing truth, you’ll let go every time.  This is the beginning and the end of the entire path – you surrender yourself to the process of emptying yourself.   When you work with this, you start to learn the subtler laws of the process of letting go.”

The part that takes some practice is noticing when you are beginning to resist because often we are caught in habitual behavior and initially it’s easy to miss.    Gradually you begin the process of freeing yourself and after a while you’ll notice that the body isn’t holding in the same old ways. 

What isn’t talked about a lot is that our accumulated baggage can weigh us down so much that we can’t see the world as it is, rather, we see the world as we are.  This can be a problem when life throws you a curve ball or tests come your way.   When you are consciously letting go you will just feel better in every way.   Just a small bonus for all your time and attention!  

The old saying what you resists persists should really say what you resist causes suffering in your body and mind…but it doesn’t have to!