#406 Good People, Doing their Best, Rolling Down the Line

     At the start of each 8-week MBSR-style Mindfulness Training workshop, each participant is asked to share a bit about themselves, including what brought them to Mindfulness. Even though most participants don't know each other in the group yet, there's a remarkably touching honesty in their stories.
     The common theme is that they're working hard, often too hard, are suffering, and are looking for a way to decrease their suffering ("better manage stress"), and perhaps regain (or find for the first time) joy in life. At some point, I suspect most of us reach this realization, though unfortunately, many simply resign themselves to this sorry state of "ordinary unhappiness". They assume that, like a huge moving train, the momentum of their lives can't be re-directed.
     Fortunately, those who take Mindfulness training learn practical, evidence-based skills that help develop underutilized natural capacities for dramatically shifting their "operating system" - their trajectory, from dissonance, struggle & suffering, towards congruence, ease & joy. These folks must also deal with the momentum of their lives - a lifetime of conditioning, but have an open mind and are willing to use intelligent effort to intentionally, gradually, change towards a wiser way of life.

     "Wisdom is a function of deep insight into, and mature understanding of, the central existential issues of life, together with practical skill in responding to these issues in ways that enhance the deep wellbeing of all those who the responses affect." 
       Walsh R. The varieties of wisdom: Contemplative, cross-cultural, and integral contributions. Research in Human Development 2011; 8(2): 109-127.

Ireland