There are different perspectives from which to view this Focused in Awareness Course. Here are two: It can be viewed as four, 75 minute classes in which you listen and react to what Ralph says, and you participate in the content of each class, and then you go on as usual in your daily routine. Or, it can be viewed as 28 days of building the capacity to focus in awareness with equanimity in everyday life, and being open to the possibilities that that practice brings to you. I invite you to view the Course from the latter perspective, participating in the weekly classes, yes, but more importantly, making the focus of each week's content an important part of your daily life. I stated in the Course description that this was "a 4-week Course to change your life." Give it a chance and see what happens.
When you get still, quiet and focused on the sensation of breath – completely focused – what is noticed when there is equanimity, when there is no apparent movement on your part to engage in any way whatsoever with what is noticed during that one breath? There may be many other sensations noticed. There may be sounds, visual patterns, pictures, colors, etc. And it may be noticed that all these sensations are occurring without any one sensation being any more important than any other. It may be noticed that all sensations are being allowed equally – no preferences, no associations, no aversions and no attractions – just noticing, just allowing, just awareness with equanimity. It can be noticed that all of what already is can be allowed to be exactly as it is without any judgment, manipulation, control, desire or aversion... and can be experienced directly, as it is, without these overlays.
As I sit still, quiet and focused on this one breath, my mind keeps chattering away. then I focus on the breath again. I can allow things around me to be just as they are fairly easily. It is the thoughts that I have a difficult time allowing to be.Sometimes out of the blue, totally random, unrelated thoughts distract me and I lose track of focusing on my breath. then time is up.
ReplyDeleteJune 8, 2011 2:49 PM
ReplyDeletebreath is the constant companion. opening to the now, it brings into clarity and sharp relief driving, listening, chewing, sitting, walking, working. It intensifies the moment, so a challenging task may seem suddenly more overwhelming than before, bur this levels out (if perhaps at a level of greater intensity). Peace and quiet is likewise fuller, deeper, richer and more enjoyable.
From today – 10 June 2011
The two new realizations from last week continue to offer nuance in perspective / experience. These are 1) not being ‘in my head’, but rather unbound wherever (seems like then ‘I’ am more from my heart area) and 2) not to name ‘feelings’, which is great, and makes me conceive of the word ‘feelings’ in a new way, like feel-ings, or ‘thingy’.
So, now in presence, these old habits seem to be there first, and it is for me to observe them with awareness of them in order for them do dissolve. I notice one prominent physical change, which is when I am aware to not ‘locate’ my ‘self’ in my head or any other physical body area, my shoulders fall away from being towards my ears. This is interesting. I also feel a more voluminous and complete presence, what reminds me of a lion or other animal that seems to ‘be’ its entire ‘self’ in my imagination, so that when it stands it is standing as a whole being, all parts signaling the intention in equal parts foot, leg, torso, head, ears; my ‘presence’ pervades the whole physical vessel, and perhaps somewhat beyond it too?
‘Feelings’ are really incredible – for something that is a regular every day event to appear so vividly different, unlatched from the meaning – and baggage – I had ascribed it through my years of stories. It is recognized and, unless old habits are ruling, felt. It seems to have a location, pressure, density, sharpness, fluctuation of temperature and pressure, even an emanance of some light or color or something. I first notice a feeling when it comes up and I am focused in awareness; then I will notice other feelings that are already there and have been but have been running unnoticed in the background. So far, most of these seem to have a location in the heart area.