Thursday, May 21, 2009
Paths
Living in the moment, finding peace in stillness, keeping a clear mind -- how do all these good thoughts mesh with planning for the future? To choose a path, I need to see where it might go, yet the harder and farther I try to see, the hazier the horizon becomes. Then I get entangled in the struggle and can no longer see any path. This is one of my consistent challenges: finding a way to flow through multiple paths and possibilities when my tendency is to grab a machete and clear the way. I think my conscious mind gets in my way, but I do not yet trust enough to let go.
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Planning is important. Most of us would not make it to or through all our daily stuff if we did not plan our days activities. Planning for the future is not living in the future. When we plan for the future, we must remain in the present. What good is it to know all the exits on all the highways to get from here to Kalamazoo if we run off the road while marking them on the map.
ReplyDeleteThe thing to watch out for is mentally obsessing over something you are planning on doing when it isn't time to do it yet, or obsessing over a decision when you don't have all the information to make the decision yet.
I just opened "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh and read:
ReplyDelete"But active, concerned people don't have time to spend leisurely, walking along paths of green grass and sitting beneath trees. One must prepare projects, consult with the neighbors, try to resolve a million difficulties; there is hard work to do. One must deal with every kind of hardship, every moment keeping one's attention focused on the work, alert, ready to handle the situation ably and intelligently.
You might well ask: Then how are we to practice mindfulness?
Ran out of space:
ReplyDeletequote continued
My answer is : keep your attention focused on the work, be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which may arise -- this is mindfulness. There is no reason why mindfulness should be different from focusing all one's attention on one's work, to be alert and to be using one's best judgment. During the moment one is consulting, resolving, and dealing with whatever arises, a calm heart and self control are necessary if one is to obtain good results. Anyone can see that. If we are not in control of ourselves, but instead let our impatience or anger interfere, then our work is no longer of any value.
Beautiful, timely and helpful. I was searching this morning for input and, just before I read yours, I found the quote below (which meshes quite nicely):
ReplyDeleteFrom the web enumeration of Seidokan Aikido Principles: "One must first learn to control oneself before attempting to harmonize and control others. Without a good balance and control of oneself, one can neither avoid an attack nor apply an effective technique on others. It is through self-control that one can learn to enjoy a harmonious way of life." Rod Kobayashi