The Flowering of Human Consciousness

[pollyanna]

When I first began to understand about the "Map of reality" or ego it was a revelation to me. Before LifeFlow every once in a while I would reach boiling point and think someone had done this to me. I've found being aware, consciously observing or living in the now is an amazing, peaceful and the only place to be, because you understand others as well as yourself. Listening to Eckhart Tolle describing the "pain body" is hilariously funny. "The Flowering of Human Consciousness" explains so well our journey of self discovery. It IS like a miracle when you accept a situation and then begin to enjoy and become enthusiastic. Quite Amazing. Happiness and joy to you

[pollyanna]

The more you practise observing your inner emotional and mental state, the easier it will be for you to understand when you have been imprisoned in the past or the future (or as Michael calls it, living unconsciously.) Then you can be in the present, living consciously. I have enjoyed a wonderful quiet week-end of doing just this and it has been so wonderfully peaceful and relaxing. It is truly wonderful not to hear your thoughts saying "I should do this or I better do that" and not experience all the terrible useless chatter that used to be a constant disruption. If you are preparing dinner or ironing etc. it's a good opportunity to look inside every now and again and see if you are caught up with thoughts of the future or past or if you are living in the present moment. If you need a reminder to do this you could play C.D. 4 of Discover meditation. It plays 5, 10 and 20 minute slots of silence for meditation and then tinkling bells at the end of each of these. When the tinkling bells play you could use them as a reminder to check where your thoughts are, and if they are elsewhere you can bring them back to the present. I wish you happiness and joy on your journey of self discovery

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by pollyanna

If you need a reminder to do this you could play C.D. 4 of Discover meditation. It plays 5, 10 and 20 minute slots of silence for meditation and then tinkling bells at the end of each of these. When the tinkling bells play you could use them as a reminder to check where your thoughts are, and if they are elsewhere you can bring them back to the present. I wish you happiness and joy on your journey of self discovery

That is a great idea !

Thich Nhat Hanh, who has a retreat in France, does the same, if you are there and you are doing something, or talking to someone, when the bell rings on the premises of the retreat, everybody stops what they are doing for about 3 counts, they breathe in and out deeply, and focus on their thoughts.

It is the first big step to mindfullness.

He also tells people to do the same when the phone rings, or when you get a red light in your car. Instead of getting worked up, think of the phone or red light as a friend, reminding you to breathe and not focus on the chatter of the mind !
People will never know that you waited one more ring before answering the phone, and meanwhile you get to totally relax and live in the Now, so you are truly ready to meet the person on the other side of the phone.

Thanks Pollyanna !