Mindfulness is the ability to see things as they are, free from the filter of our conditioning. It is this crucial capacity that creates the peace in which lovingkindness and compassion are possible. The cultivation of mindfulness allows us to break free from the multidimensional influences of our time and our place in the world- our family history, our cultural biases, our personal and professional experiences – and to begin to see what is true about ourselves and our world.

Mindfulness is also a healing practice in its own right. The degree to which humanity suffers from a disturbed mind cannot be overstated. It is my experience that the mind is like a glass of water. If you set it down the water will return to its true nature, which is still and clear. Likewise, the mind, left to its own devices, will settle and become awake, clear and spacious. When the mind has returned to its original nature, so too does everything, else, and the suffering we have come to associate with mental agitation ends.

~Rolf Gates

when we intend for our attention to bear witness, we are committed to seeing it through….

inquiry for today~   don’t diminish your attunement when you lose interest…..this is when the practice begins……

for all I did not see

Many mindfulness teachers point to the Chinese character for listening as an instruction manual for how to listen. The character is made up of brush strokes that represent several elements: At the top are the signs for ear and eye; the sign for undivided attention sits in the middle; and it’s all held at the bottom by the symbol for heart.

The character itself directs us to not only hear what’s being said but also notice visual cues to better understand the true feelings behind the words. We’re reminded to offer our full attention, rather than worry about how we’re going to respond. And most important, we’re asked to receive everything tenderly and openly, attending to it with care. This type of kind and curious listening is a heart practice. Many of us naturally listen this way to the people we love. But we often need to develop the skill of compassionate listening when it comes to the way we listen to ourselves.

~Jillian Pransky