Friday, January 10, 2020
Thinking is a continuous process. It is seamless. Let us think of these thoughts as birds flying in the sky. In the extensive canvas of the blue sky do we see these birds flying , thousands of them coming from one side and going to the other? They simply fly. Without leaving any footprints behind. They may be white birds. Thoughts signifying peace, purity and tranquility. When these thoughts are crossing the canvass of our mind how would we feel? What will be our heart rate? Will we be smiling softly? Would we like these thoughts to visit us more often? Would we like them to stay? Would we like to behave in alignment to these thoughts?
Working towards having a peaceful and quiet, relaxing and calm state of mind will require : :becoming more and more aware of our own breath. Becoming aware of the present moment. Becoming mindful. Living in the present. Experience what is going on in the here and the now. Just experience. Without evaluating. Without rating it as good or bad. Welcome the white birds without attempting to trap them. Just observe them. Watch them from a distance. Notice them. By just becoming more aware of the passing thoughts a peaceful state is attained.
At the same time being anchored in our involuntary, continuous, melodious , rhymthic, life giving process of breathing. This breath watching can take place at two places in our body. At our nostrils. The breath that goes inside is a little colder and the breath that comes outside is a little warmer. Notice your incoming and outgoing breath. Be with it. The breath can also be noticed by our abdominal movements. With each incoming breath the abdomen expands and we can notice the abdominal wall moving outwards. With each outgoing breath the abdomen contracts. We can notice the abdominal wall going inwards. Just be with your breath. Increase your awareness for your own breathing. And let the birds fly !
What about the black birds? And red ones? Wait for the next blog to meet them and deal with them.