***

Buddhism teaches that, to some extent, we are all aware of what we’re doing. We all have innate awareness. It’s always there. Where else would it go?

Unfortunately, this awareness is not always operating at full capacity.

• learned behavior
• habits
• distractions
• illusions
• beliefs

These are a few of the culprits that obscure awareness. To that list add, mindlessness, heedlessness, carelessness: the symptom of our present age. These are the opposite of mindfulness.

When We Talk About Mindfulness

• We are talking about the alert presence of mind.
• We are talking about bringing that innate awareness we already possess and making it sharper.
• We are talking about paying attention.

The way we do this is by training ourselves to notice our relationships and discerning the interconnections between our actions and their effects.

• Mindfulness trains us to pay attention to the karmic implications and ramifications of our personal behavior.
• It helps us to slow down.
• And in training ourselves to slow down we come to utilize our innate intelligence and sensitivity.
• In turn, our sensitivity perks up and we begin to savor the feel of our experiences.
• We learn to think before we leap.

“A voice comes to your soul saying
Lift your foot. Cross over.” ~Rumi

Let’s stop living our wakeful hours like moths attracted to flames. May we stop Spiraling into Despair. (note: this link will open a 2020 post on this website that’s still
relevant today).