Weekly Notice

This week's suggested topic of consideration: Being on the Path

Whether you’ve been on the Path leading toward mindfulness for a long time or are just starting, it can be challenging to consistently overcome judgment, distraction, and not being in the present moment.

Your failure to be nonjudgmentally aware in the present moment with curiosity and acknowledgment (be mindful) all the time is only evidence of your inherent humanness.  The human brain is wired to constantly evaluate, label, and react to everything. In many instances it’s a matter of safety and protection but sometimes your initial evaluation may be inappropriate or inaccurate. 

Being on the Path of Mindfulness requires wearing the appropriate “clothing”.  At times you need to be ready for rough mental weather or steep emotional terrain.  If you stumble, if life catches you off-guard, being present and aware of the real circumstances is important to your mental and physical safety.  Of course, you must honor your human nature to evaluate, label, and react but through your nonjudgmental awareness it is just as important to offer yourself compassion and take the present moment to evaluate the circumstances and alternatives.  By intercepting your initial thoughts of reacting with present moment awareness you give yourself a chance to respond wisely rather than reacting “without thinking”.

This week, it is suggested that you contemplate, meditate on, and share our thoughts on what it means to be on the Path of Mindfulness and how to respond when you stumble or life catches you off-guard.  In their book Picking Up the Pierces Sherri Magee, PhD and Kathy Scalzo, M.S.O.D. wrote “By creating a habit of turning inward and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, you'll become more attuned to those quiet yearnings. You'll learn how to notice changes, listen to what's being revealed, and trust your new voice. You'll become more aware of the various aspects of yourself and how you interact with your surroundings.”  

Always working to embody mindfulness,

David

notice notes:

As always, our wish is for you to find a refuge where you may safely meditate on the teachings suggested above.  Keep in mind you may share your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the benefits and difficulties of implementing those teachings into your daily lives by responding to this email, or texting/phoning (971) 218-6641. Your communications in response to the practice suggestions made above or your practice in general are very important.  Since we aren't gathering together, your responses make meaningful dialog and real understanding of the teachings more attainable.

It is only with an open mind, an open heart, and expression of your thoughts and concerns that true happiness and harmony may be achieved and maintained in your life. Your continued curiosity about and enthusiasm for the Practice is of utmost importance.

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Resources

You start with Mindfulness as a practice to train your brain. Over time, it becomes a way of life where you stay present and calm during daily tasks.

The Practice (Building the Skill)

• What it is: You set aside 5 to 15 minutes to focus on your breath or body.
• The goal: You notice when your mind wanders, then return focus to the present.
• The benefit: This Mindfulness exercises from Mayo Clinic guide explains how it helps calm your nervous system and lower stress.

The Way of Life (Living the Skill)

• What it is: You apply this focus to brushing your teeth, eating, or walking.
• The goal: You accept what happens without being upset.
• The benefit: You feel more connected to yourself and enjoy daily tasks more.

How They Connect

Think of it like learning to play the piano. You start with daily drills (the practice). Eventually, you can play music beautifully without thinking about every single key (the way of life).

The Difficulties We Run Into When Trying To Be Nonjudgmentally Aware

Being nonjudgmentally aware is hard because the human brain is wired to constantly evaluate, label, and react to everything. People constantly fight against natural habits. These include mind wandering, the urge to fix every problem, and self-criticism.

These are the main roadblocks people face when trying to stay present:

1. Natural Brain Habit

• Labeling: The brain automatically sorts things as "good" or "bad". For example, "This coffee is too bitter" or "I am having a bad day."
• Multitasking: People try to do many things at once. The mind rushes ahead to future tasks or loops back to past events.

2. The Urge to Fix

• Problem-Solving: When people notice discomfort, the brain jumps into "fix-it" mode. Instead of just feeling an emotion, the mind tries to plan, change, or escape it.

3. Judging the Self

• Inner Critic: People often get angry at themselves for having a wandering mind or a negative thought. This "judgment of the judgment" keeps the cycle of frustration going.

4. Resistance to Discomfort

• Avoiding Bad Feelings: The present moment might hold feelings like boredom, sadness, or physical pain. People naturally pull away from these feelings to avoid the hurt.