#399 Letting Go of Soil - the Jar of Soil & Water Metaphor - Part 2

     Continuing with the jar of soil & water metaphor of #398, sitting meditation practice shows us that we're so used to thinking about something that we actually feel one with or identified with thoughts ("cognitive fusion"). It's as if the clear water didn't exist, only the soil. Thoughts ("objects of mind" - bits of soil) seem sticky, some much more so than others eg the memory of someone insulting us; or catastrophizing about an upcoming interview or medical appointment. Our entire world can become this one story (single particle of soil) for days, weeks or even longer, while our day-to-day affairs are managed "on autopilot."
      Another discovery we make in meditation is that our thinking is mostly about the past ("the good - or bad - old days") or future (wishing or anxiety). This is despite the practical fact that the present requires our full attention. ALSO experience and now science shows that stable awareness of what's going on in the present moment feels  good - much better than being off in the past or future. Our quality of life is at its highest when we are whole-heartedly engaged in the present for prolonged periods of time eg being with a beloved person or pet, "wrapped-up" in a great movie, doing our hobby, participating in an exciting (even extreme) sport, etc.
     The soil particles are in motion - either being stirred up or settling down, while water is at rest. When we're present, mindful, we have the perspective of clear still water & observe the particles (thoughts) floating by without attaching to (identifying with) them. Training allows this to happen with increasing ease, consistency and stability. Sticking to particles going by is a habit. Noticing & repeatedly letting go of this old mental habit ("cognitive defusion"), replaces it with a new mental habit - mindfulness. This is the predictable, scientifically-proven effect of mental training that rewires the brain, creating new connections and new brain cells (neuroplasticity). 
     Gradually we come to feel at home in clarity (clear water), without habitually clinging to the (mud particles of the) past or future, resting joyfully in the constantly changing fascinating challenging present moment. 
     See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2012/12/249-busy-scattered-distracted-monkey.html

Kentville, Nova Scotia

#339 Depth of Interest - Document, Program, or Operating System?

     If we're creating a Word document and something goes awry, there could be something wrong with the document itself. So we could "save as", give the document a new name, and start working on it again.
     Or the problem might be one level higher - the Word program itself might be messed-up. We'd have to fix or replace the Word program.
     Or the problem could be one level higher still - the Operating System (OS) might be out of date. If so, most current programs (and their documents) would be out of sync with the old OS. Installing a new OS is a much more profound change, fundamentally changing the whole look and feel of the computer, all programs, and all documents.
     Human beings want life's problems to be quick & easy to fix (document level). We dislike change, especially major change. We'd prefer to surgically excise only one small part of our lives that's unwanted or isn't working, but keep everything else exactly the same thank you very much. But very few problems are like a splinter in the thumb - pull out the splinter, thumb quickly heals, end of story.
     Sometimes, trying harder with what one has is just not enough eg sometimes we need to upgrade our skills by taking a specific course on a specific topic. So our lives remain more or less the same, but now we can perform a new task because of this limited course (program level - instal new software).
     Life presents MUCH greater challenges at times - we can feel overwhelmed, scared, sad or just plain burned out. Our whole worldview & self-concept can completely shatter - we can undergo a complete  "shipwreck" - see: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/search?q=shipwreck  This is a program level disturbance, NOT the end of the world!
     Program level disturbances require program level interventions. Your computer (hardware) is good for several OS upgrades. So is your body!! You will inevitably go through several major worldview & self-concept transitions in your life (starting school, moving, falling in love, starting a new job, losing a job, ending a relationship, retirement, death of a loved one, serious illness, etc). When one door closes, another opens - we get used to the old OS, but the new OS is always better in new, surprising ways.
     Mindfulness practice allows us to perceive ourselves and the world increasingly clearly, and quite naturally we gradually perceive everything differently, as though everything had changed. We gradually become better synchronized with life as it actually is. Mindfulness practice is transformational - continuous incremental upgrading of our OS - experiential learning at the worldview & self-concept level. When we do continuous minor upgrades, there are fewer or no meltdowns. Mindfulness practice promotes & ensures this natural evolution towards wisdom - see: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/search?q=wisdom

vlee1009   www.dpreview.com