As promised, we have Taras response to the article we posted earlier today: Overall, I would say that Mindfulness is not about quieting the mind and relaxing (as implied in the article) - although these are often by-products. It is a way of seeing clearly how things are... being awake, aware, and alert, and knowing it. We do not engage or reject what is happening (thought, emotion, body sensation)...we see with receptivity and curiosity, over and over. Through this we learn about change and impermanence, what we tend hold on to or cling to...essentially what causes suffering and what are the conditions for happiness. The article says...I have not seen better behavior, improved relationships, happier... I can honestly say from years of teaching that these 3 things show the most improvement. The practice helps us see with greater clarity our patterns and conditioning; what causes suffering and distress, and what does not. Through meditation these patterns are often highlighted allowing us more choice. Mindfulness increases the gap between impulse and action...leading to better behavior, better choices with words and actions. We are less hijacked. This ultimately improves relationships...for example, were less likely to give someone a jab or two in a heated argument or disagreement. Being more aware as a result of practice also keeps us closely connected with intentions and motivations. The article closes by saying, The real challenge isn’t what we’re able to do with our eyes closed. It’s to be more self-aware in the crucible of our everyday lives, and to behave better as a result. Totally agree with this – and formal meditation practice informs this informal practice, bringing awareness into all aspects of daily life. Regarding the Jack Kornfield quote [that most people, including himself, were not helped by meditation in big areas of their lives] - it is out of context. If he were to formally interview Jack...I wonder how he would respond to the quotes? I have sat in meditation with Jack several times. One thing I know about Jack is that when he returned from intense practice in Southeast Asia, he was challenged in many ways by daily life and relationships, and - although he had been practicing intensely - he actually needed the daily interactions (family, day-to-day life encounters) to show him where he was stuck. Makes sense...we need others to show us where we are stuck. Jack was able to use his daily interactions to inform his practice, and use the practice to support his suffering. Formal practice does inform the informal practice...but its equally true that informal practice informs the formal practice. It is not an either/or situation. Mindfulness enables us to see how things are - not how we wish they were but how they are. Every time we fight with reality, reality will win. Once we see clearly, we take action if that is what is called for - or if we cannot change/influence what is happening, we see that. We relax into the way it is. Suffer less. -Tara
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:30:00 +0000
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