Reflections on Meditation - December 2023
Reflections on Meditation - December 2023
This months reflections on meditation. A collection of Substack notes for the month of December 2023 from Now About Meditation
Staying awake means continually reevaluating the ground on which we walk."
- by Stephen Schettini
The above comment by former Buddhist Monk and author Stephen Schettini captures the essence of mindfulness and the ongoing process of self-awareness. To 'stay awake' implies an active engagement with our surroundings and an intentional presence in the unfolding moments of our lives. Just as one must remain vigilant to navigate an ever-changing terrain, staying awake involves a constant reassessment of our beliefs, perspectives, and the circumstances that shape our lives. It encourages a state of perpetual curiosity and a willingness to adapt as we traverse the intricate pathways of existence. In essence, the phrase urges us to embrace the dynamic nature of life, fostering a mindset that is open to learning, growth, and the continuous evolution of our understanding of the world around us.
"There are many spiritual practices centred on choosing love, like lovingkindness meditation. But I think on the day-to-day level, choosing love is about resisting the spirit of panic and fear."
- by Kai Cheng Thom
Embracing a life centred on love involves a multitude of spiritual practices, with one notable example being lovingkindness meditation. While spiritual practices such as lovingkindness meditation provide a structured approach to cultivating love and compassion, the essence of choosing love in everyday life transcends these practices. On a day-to-day level, the act of choosing love can become a powerful antidote to the pervasive currents of panic, fear and worry that often grip our lives. It is a conscious decision to resist succumbing to the paralyzing grip of anxiety, opting instead for a mindset rooted in empathy, understanding, and kindness towards ourselves, the way we feel, others, and the situations we encounter. This choice, seemingly simple yet profound, transforms the mundane moments of our lives into opportunities for connection and growth, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves. In this way, choosing love becomes a guiding principle, a spiritual practice woven seamlessly into the fabric of our daily interactions and a way of responding to the world around us.
"If you can name something or even feel it, you can be mindful of it."
- by Jon Kabat-Zinn
To become mindful of something first, you need to become aware of it that is the first step, and this statement by Jon Kabat-Zinn captures this aspect of mindfulness, emphasizing the role that awareness and recognition play in mindfulness. Why? Because as mentioned in practising mindfulness, the act of naming or acknowledging a thought, emotion, or sensation is the first step towards having an understanding of what’s happening. Mindfulness encourages a heightened sense of presence and connection to the present moment. By naming our experiences or simply acknowledging their existence, we start cultivating a conscious awareness of their existence that, with time, allows us to better navigate the complexities of our inner world. However, as mentioned in a previous post, this cannot happen without a non-judgmental observation of our thoughts and feelings, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and promoting a more intentional and centred way of living.
Jon Kabat-Zinn tells us that,
"When it comes right down to it, the challenge of mindfulness is to realize that "this is it." Right now is my life."
Kabat-Zinn's statement points to a core tenant of mindfulness practice, the profound realization that the essence of life unfolds in the present moment. The challenge inherent in practising mindfulness is to come to realise this as Kabat-Zinn says, "this is it." Our lives are not lived in some distant future or tethered to a bygone past; rather, the richness of existence is experienced in the immediate now. Practising mindfulness entails a conscious recognition that the present moment encapsulates the entirety of one's life. It is a call to relinquish the distractions of what was or what might be and to fully engage with the current reality. This recognition that this "right now is my life" can be transformative as we come to realise that the true essence of our being is to be found through grounding ourselves in fully experiencing the present moment.
"Right speech, one of the ethical imperatives of Buddhism, isn’t about censorship; it’s about intention, awareness, and the karmic ripple effect of words."
- by Frederick M. Ranallo-Higgins
Frederick M. Ranallo-Higgins astutely emphasizes the significance of right speech as a fundamental ethical principle in Buddhism, rooted in the Eightfold Path. Right speech, a key aspect of the Eightfold Path, encourages practitioners to communicate with mindfulness, compassion, and truthfulness. This ethical imperative delves into the intention behind our speech and fosters awareness of the outcomes and consequences woven by the words we choose.
Right speech goes beyond the superficiality of words, exploring the underlying motivations and energies that propel speech. The essence lies in understanding the profound impact words can have on individuals and the interconnected fabric of existence. By cultivating a consciousness of the ripple effect of our speech, the Buddhist principle of right speech underscores the responsibility that accompanies verbal expression. It prompts individuals to wield language as a tool for upliftment, empathy, and understanding, recognizing the potential for both healing and harm within every uttered phrase.