The Word and the Space


The word is

ink

stains the paper

finding the fibers 

it

spreads

darkly illuminating

these thoughts I try to share

 
As a teenager, filled with emotions and ideals, I wrote many poems and songs.  This one still means a lot to me. Indeed, in this very moment, why am I writing these words, if not in an attempt at illumination?

But let’s be still for a moment, and focus attention on the most unseen.  The space, between and around the words.  The blank space, unchanging, endless (HERE) and timeless (NOW) that makes the words possible. That spark of potential, the pure essence of Being.   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
While practicing meditation, sometimes I focus on the breath as the Sky, and let my experiences - a thought, an itch, etc. - become passing Clouds.  The Clouds are changeable and impermanent.  The Sky is constant.  Similarly, a thought might be a balloon floating in the Sky.  I refrain from tying a string to it and letting it carry me along.

Resting in the "space," it becomes clear that my thoughts and sensations are experiences. They are not me.  They are parts of my story.  The space provides opportunity to disentangle from the story. Greater mindfulness, freedom, and joy are present when I enter the story again.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lead with your heart

In high school physical education classes, we did exercises to limber up.  Sitting on the gym floor or the field, with legs extended, we were coached to do repeated forward bends.  The prompt was, “Kiss your knees.” In yoga practice, we sit on our mats, with legs extended, and do forward bends.  The prompt is, “Fold from the hips, leading with your chest.” The spine is to remain straight.  No knee-kissing! Leading with the chest is leading with the heart.  Many yoga postures are designed to open up the heart, the center of compassion. It takes confidence to go through the day with an open heart.  At the postural level, it requires holding the body in a particular way. To prompt proper alignment for postures, yoga instructors will say, “Move your shoulders away from your ears.” In standing postures, they advise, “Lower your shoulders!” or use the metaphor,  “Tuck your shoulder blades into your back pockets.” In practice, and during my day, I b...
Read more

Three-Legged Chair

The focus of this blog is how a practice of yoga, meditation, or kindred discipline is of benefit. The effectiveness of these practices is well-supported by research.  I also believe strongly in other resources strongly supported by research, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication prescribed by a competent psychiatrist.  I do not discuss these latter resources herein, but they are valid and valuable. I am a psychologist, after all. These are the three legs of a stable chair. Where one starts - spiritual practice, therapy, medication - depends on the individual and situation. 
Read more

Create an Oasis

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “oasis” as “a  pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult or hectic place or situation.”  So, my yoga mat or meditation cushion is an oasis. I’ve found it helpful to create additional peaceful places. One is my pillow, at bedtime.  As an oasis, my pillow is a place where my mind is not permitted to work or to worry.  If my mind wishes to be active, it must choose pleasant or neutral things.    A walk can be an oasis.  Thich Nhat Hanh describes mindful walking, whereby you “make a contract” with a particular distance you walk every day, such as a staircase or a hallway. “Vow that when you walk that distance every step will be solid and mindful; otherwise you will go back and do it again.  He advises, “Walk with your feet, not with your head.” My workday provides many opportunities to practice this.  I walk to and from my office to various destinations throughout the day.  Si...
Read more