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BENEATH.
“The mind creates the abyss, and the heart crosses it.”-Indian sage Nisargadatta
I like to think beneath the surface of our busy minds there is a current. At times we hold so tightly to our anger and frustrations it’s hard to remember that we can touch it—the heart.
When faced with challenges, may you have the courage to dip below the surface chatter and ask yourself, “What prevents me from making it across—back to my heart?” Continue reading under Inward Reflections to learn the four methods to stop acting out of habit with anger…
May you find the courage over and over again to contact your heart and find your center.
Begin here with a peaceful-heart meditation.
Meditation Practice
10-minute meditation to return (even briefly) to a peaceful heart. This practice includes mindfulness of the breath practice. Great for calming the mind and body when faced with frustrations. Remember this may be new to you. Be kind to yourself as you learn to practice. Some days it comes easier than others but over time it strengthens. Easy does it and begin again. :) Listen here.
Daily Intention: “Peace is in my heart.”
May this be a gentle reminder that love, compassion, generosity, peace, and happiness rest right beneath the busy mind—in your heart. May you be open.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
“Do you have enough time to love?”- Thich Nhat Hanh
In his book, “True Love- A practice for awakening the heart” Thich Nhat Hanh urges us to ask ourselves, “Can you make sure that in your everyday life, you have a little time to love?”
INWARD REFLECTIONS
“The four methods for turning anger around and training in patience from Kadampa masters of eleventh-century Tibet.
Not setting up the target for the arrow.
Connecting with the heart. '
Seeing obstacles as teachers.
Regarding all the occurs as a dream.”
-Pema Chodron
Not setting up the target for the arrow. Everytime we respond with aggression we are strengthening the habit of anger and many arrows will come our way—the target is set. If we choose to not be afraid and sit with our anger before reacting, even for a moment, we are dissolving the pattern. We’re taking down the target.
Connecting with the heart. The possibility of contacting your heart when angry is like calling a good friend—it is a guide. The journey is courageous.
Seeing obstacles as teachers. As much as it feels good to blame others for triggering your frustrations and anger, they are not the source; you are. The teacher is always there.
Regarding all that occurs as a dream. This is meant to lighten the severity of the “big, mighty, and important you who has been insulted or wronged.” Who is this and how long will you carry this view with you? When you awaken from a dream you know the monsters are not real. What if the same where true here? What if we were moving from dream scene to scene. Does it make it easier to let go, release the steam, and cross the abyss to the heart?
Return to a peaceful heart with a short guided meditation here.
*Practice is available in depth @ Pema Chodron’s book, “The places that scare you”
LET’S CONNECT
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Weekly Practice: Beneath