“The gift of learning to meditate is the
greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime.”
-- Sogyal Rinpoche
“When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment,
our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be
filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.”
― Thich Nhat Hạnh
“When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment,
our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be
filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.”
― Thich Nhat Hạnh
Sound familiar?
The inability to maintain a daily practice is, I think, quite widespread. It's fun to see a newcomer to the Circle mention, often somewhat sheepishly, that they hadn't been successful in establishing and sustaining a daily practice, only to discover when I ask for a show of hands, that everyone there has had -- or continues to have -- that same experience.
It only stands to reason. The entire thrust of our social conditioning operates against sitting still in silence. Taking the time to notice what is actually going on in our mind and heart in the present moment isn't widely supported. Creatures of habit, we are individually and collectively awash in habitual patterns of noise, stimulation, and activity, often feeling stressed and fatigued. Sometimes aware of a subtle, or not so subtle, discontent with ourselves and our lives, we race on yearning for it to be different.
The Good News is that it can.
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