With palms together,

Good Morning Everyone,

 

As we sit down to practice complete presence, it is sometimes useful to notice the distractions that arise to take us away from what is right there before us.  Clearly, thoughts arise, actually flooding our awareness with all sorts of things.  We notice how cool the room is, the dust in the air, the discomfort in our knees or our backs.  Each perception couples with a thought and feeling: but we resist responding and return to our breath and opening the grip thought has on our attention.  Its as though we are doing some sort of battle or dance with ourselves.

 

Yet, in each case we have a choice: wiggle or not.

 

What we should also see is this is a reflection of our daily experience.  On the one hand we set out to do a job, correct a behavior, or enjoy our families, and at the very moment we try, something else arises and joins our perceptual space.

 

In each of life's many moments we are presented with a choice: stay on task or go off task; choose what we might not want to do over what might feel good to do. What do these inclinations teach us about ourselves?

 

And on another level, who is actually being confronted?  Is it our True Nature or these five aggrgates put together that we call our self?

 

Does it really matter?  Maybe we should just sit with this for awhile.

 

Be well.

 

 

 

 

On a personal note:

 

This morning has been quite different from all others.  I woke to my granddaughter, Olivia, wiggling between My Little Honey and me.  It was barely 5:00 AM and she wanted Cheerios. Of course, she had to go to the bathroom.  Then she wanted to play with Tripper, who really would have rather snuggled against my shoulder.

 

So, up we are.

 

Meditation consisted of being present with you as Olivia tries to take me away. What a pleasant conflict. 

 

This afternoon we offer several classes at the Academy at Temple Beth El.  Please consider joining us.  Registration is at 12-2 PM

 

See you there.