On Jul 6, 2009Prasad, iJourney Visual Editor wrote :
Considering that I don’t sit regularly, I took several days to reflect on the passage and observe myself and others. I also found my ability to listen, see, pay attention are all connected to being here and now. That means no mental chatter, no expectations, no judgments but just being present. Being present without curiosity, without anticipation, without guilt or regret but being open. In that process, my mind disappears, ego gets out of the way, identity dissolves and what I say, do becomes a response to what I listened to, saw or observed. It is as if both are two sides of the same coin — as if we are interconnected. When my mind gets in the way, then there is an artificial separation and neither me nor the other is present — except the memories, regrets etc.
It takes effort to listen and observe without getting in the way. It happens infrequently and when I practice, it becomes more and more frequent.
Interestingly, everywhere I looked, the message to me was — practice, practice and practice. Let go of expectations from the practice and just practice for practice sake.
I am listening, I am listening, I — not sure -- am listening...
On Jul 6, 2009 Prasad, iJourney Visual Editor wrote :
Considering that I don’t sit regularly, I took several days to reflect on the passage and observe myself and others. I also found my ability to listen, see, pay attention are all connected to being here and now. That means no mental chatter, no expectations, no judgments but just being present. Being present without curiosity, without anticipation, without guilt or regret but being open. In that process, my mind disappears, ego gets out of the way, identity dissolves and what I say, do becomes a response to what I listened to, saw or observed. It is as if both are two sides of the same coin — as if we are interconnected. When my mind gets in the way, then there is an artificial separation and neither me nor the other is present — except the memories, regrets etc.
It takes effort to listen and observe without getting in the way. It happens infrequently and when I practice, it becomes more and more frequent.
Interestingly, everywhere I looked, the message to me was — practice, practice and practice. Let go of expectations from the practice and just practice for practice sake.
I am listening, I am listening, I — not sure -- am listening...