Today . . . I am thinking of Super Tuesday and Thich Nhat Hahn.
Seem like an unlikely combination?
Follow along with me.
If you've been following the Presidential campaign and run-up to Super Tuesday, then you've heard a lot of talk about change. How we need this to change and that to change. How change is good and it's time for change.
Yet, change is nothing without, what renowned Zen master Thich Naht Hahn calls, mindfulness. Lasting change is only possible with mindfulness. Without it, change is nothing more than an event.
To be mindful is to be truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing. Being aware and awake to the present moment.
Today, after John McCain clinched the GOP and Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama dual to a draw, let us take a moment to practice Thich Naht Hahn's mindfulness gata.
Breathing in I calm my body and mind
Breathing out I smile
Dwelling in the present moment
I know this is the only moment
Change is inevitable. Mindfulness is not.
May your day be full of mindfulness.
Wow - that's a depressing thought. I think if we look ahead far enough, global mindfulness is absolutely inevitable. It may not be in this lifetime, but it will be.
Posted by: Dana at Nine Tomatoes - Energy Drawings | February 06, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Wouldn't global mindfulness be wonderful? Imagine what it would be like if everyone was present and at one with those around them, mindful of how what each one did effected all. That kind of mindfulness is staggering, and oh so exciting to contemplate. Thanks Dana, for putting out that possibility for us.
Posted by: The Original Accidental Pren-her | February 06, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Yes, change does seem to be the buzzword this election. Susan, I agree that mindfulness is important as it focuses me and I listen to my inner knowing. The actions flow from that inner place which lead to change. I am learning to allow my change to come from inspiration: to look more at "what can be" not reaction:looking at "what is."
Posted by: Linda at Bookmark This Spot | February 10, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Looking at what is can be a double-edge sword, can't it Linda? On the one side, if we like what we see, then it resonates with us and increases that which we like. If, however, we don't like what we see, then it's hard not to look at it. And the more we look at it or try not to look at it, the more we notice what is and further it coming into greater being.
Cultivating the ability to look beyond what is, to what we want is a fabulous skill that garners great success.
Posted by: The Original Accidental Pren-her | February 10, 2008 at 02:35 PM