Impulse versus spontaneity

One of the things that meditation is extremely helpful with is working with impulse control and discernment. I notice I am quicker to want to be impulsive in a more constricted state and my responsibility as a conscious human is to be of benefit to others and the world. Even the practice of meditation can be approached in a rigid and constricted way or a curious, open way. This, I believe makes a difference. I can see how this can be related to Patañjali and Abhinavagupta. From this spontaneous spark of grace and being in touch with the Divine nature of how things really are, one can approach meditation in a way that is pure in nature. And the Patañjali mind training could be approached in a systematic way that is wanting to achieve something and could be intensely strict. However, perhaps this method could lead to glimpses of what Abhinavagupta points to, which can further shape a practice of spontaneity and discernment of the nature of reality.

I have given intentional space to my practice this month to integrate my class teachings and see how the wisdom can come through in ordinary life without the stringent approach that I have been known to take which can further my suffering of perfectionism. This has assisted in my ability to be in a relaxed state in the exertion of my busy schedule this month. I can truly witness how my various practices can assist in my expanded or constricted states and if they are truly beneficial to myself and others.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Glimpse at possible samādhi

The one time that I felt that I moved through Patañjali's Mind Training, was at my Dharma Ocean meditation retreat two years ago. My posture was the first step and this was probably the most challenging part. My back hurt and it was painful to move through this. I would get up in the morning and stretch and work with it at night with my back massager. Once my posture was manageable and comfortable, I was able to really get into the somatic practice of pure awareness. I followed my breath through my belly, through the earth, and up my central channel. I did this slowly and with attention. My mind was able to stay with my breath and it got more focused every session. I was the most still that I had ever been practicing in these sessions, especially after I began noticing how calm my mind could become with this cycle of breath. I feel like my senses were withdrawn and I was in this state of settled and undistracted space. My teacher, Norman, who was also the man who trained me as a ...
Read more

Present in the bustle

Almost spring break, yet the days are still full. Today I woke up early to do faerie hair at a Daybreaker event from 6-9 am before meditating in the karma room at noon followed by three classes until 6 pm. Stopped to eat empañadas before the drive back to Denver listening to Michelle Obama in the book Becoming.  When I am blessing people before the faerie hair, I was present. Even with a line of 15 people waiting for my service, I can form a connection between me and the person receiving. This is a concentrated meditation for me. When I am in class, I am present and focused on whoever is talking. When I am eating, I am eating and I made sure to do that even though I was alone and could have easily spent the time on my phone. Everyday concentration in the busy life of the day.  The future planning is creeping in, however, as I figure out how to manage the 18 credit end of class projects and a business plan. Yet, as always, with right effort and right concentration, they ...
Read more

Presence

In class, we expanded, like the sky, into the infinite and merged with it as if it were none other than ourselves. Then we did not abandon our heart-minds at the center or leave it for happiness or suffering. Then we abandoned the thoughts that our mind might be fixed on. 93, 102, 129 Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra These three instructions together were instantaneously directive for me to be fully present. I have been coming back to these instructions many times in a day as I am driving or walking. Sometimes, I know that if I think of all that I need to do, I will be swept away into anxiety that is not relevant for the present moment to exist in its fullness. So, I come back to walking, walking. Or driving, driving. There is nowhere else to be. All accomplishing action will be done. To project fear of the future or leave my body for some other happiness trip, I will miss the joy that pervades this moment.
Read more