“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
I’ve been listening to Sharon Salzberg over the last few weeks talk about loving kindness meditation and mindfulness.
In addition, I’m reading Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness by Chogyam Trungpa.
Taken together, both sources have made me consider my perspective on life, which, up to now, has been quite closed (when compared to a loving kindness approach).
As a naturally suspicious lawyer, I’m not easily persuaded to change but I now feel, in a heartfelt way, much more open to what is.
All of it.
Compare this to my past behaviour.
I’ve too easily allowed myself to be the swayed by my internal chatter; it’s easy to think otherwise, but I’d be lying to say that I’ve not been caught in wanting things to change or be different.
In listening to Sharon’s talks, I realise, perhaps for the first time in a very long time, that every moment offers us a deep, meaningful opportunity to awaken. Not to learn more stuff but to come closer to true self.
What am I really getting at?
To see the world anew.
To accept that there are many more ways to see the world than we’ve been conditioned to believe.
To be more loving to ourselves.
To accept that we might be more at fault in creating the tension in our lives than hitherto is the case.
To accept everything that arises without expressing any or any definite view.And to stop striving.
Of course, in the end, how you choose to live your life is a matter for you, but perhaps it’s time to consider whether by being more open-hearted to what is, you might bring more happiness into your life and those you love.
Blessings,
Julian
Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash