The skill of noticing—watching—can be compared to training a puppy. One of my favorite teachers about learning to watch yourself, especially during the painful sensations or difficult emotions is Pema Chödrön.
The pith instruction is, Stay. . . stay. . . just stay. Learning to stay with ourselves in meditation is like training a dog. If we train a dog by beating it, we’ll end up with an obedient but very inflexible and rather terrified dog. The dog may obey when we say “Stay!” “Come!” “Roll over!” and “Sit up!” but he will also be neurotic and confused. By contrast, training with kindness results in someone who is flexible and confident, who doesn’t become upset when situations are unpredictable and insecure.
So whenever we wander off, we gently encourage ourselves to “stay” and settle down. Are we experiencing restlessness? Stay! Discursive mind? Stay! Are fear and loathing out of control? Stay! Aching knees and throbbing back? Stay! What’s for lunch? Stay! What am I doing here? Stay! I can’t stand this another minute! Stay! That is how to cultivate steadfastness.
You might appreciate knowing many of her talks are available free of charge on Youtube. Here is a quick introduction to Pema, in Getting Unstuck.
Dorothy Ann writes about it this way:
In just observing things as they are we let go of controlling the situation. In classic instruction this is often called “choiceless awareness.” We really have no idea what the mind is going to cook up next or what itch or body sensation will surface. But, here we have taken a time-out, however brief or long, to simply be with ourselves. And we’re paying attention. This whole business is not asking of us something we do not know how to do. We can notice. We an pay attention. Simple. Even easy. But practicing it regularly is rather unusual you could say.
This week become the watcher. Whatever other gifts come from this season, especially today, just step aside those habit patterns and become intimate with what is happening within you. Watch.
Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips
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Rev. Debra Basham
Voice or text: (269) 921-2217 Email: debra@scs-matters.com http://DebraBasham.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa |