The beginning of freedom is the realization that you are not “the thinker.” The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realize that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence. You also realize that all the things that truly matter–beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace–arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken.
As we head into this holiday week, I am feeling the frenzy of the world. This time of year we are all so busy with the high stakes and expectations of family and society to be happy and have fun. It is important to stay grounded and clear in order to stay sane.
Mindfulness calls on us to acknowledge that our consciousness or spirit or soul is not our mind. Ancient Egyptians referred to the mind as just another sense, like seeing or hearing.
The mind was considered one more source of input into deciphering our reality. A useful tool for exploration of the world but certainly not any more “factual” or “real” than sight alone, or smell alone.
Our consciousness is, in fact, the observer, the one who is interpreting our reality through those physical senses. The observer is the conductor of your orchestra of input.
When we spend time routinely in meditation, we can become intimate with the feeling of expansiveness that we create from engaging the observer. The observer creates distance from our thoughts and emotions. This distance creates freedom from reactivity.
From this expansive place, we can choose our actions and reactions to stimuli rather than lighting up like a pinball machine when our buttons are pushed.
Over the next week, I encourage you to join me in setting aside 10-15 minutes each morning to meditate. Grounding into my body, clearing my energy field, and setting my intention for connection, kindness, and grace. [Need a couple of quick guided meditations? Try these.]
The holidays are hectic with parties, plans, expectations, and deadlines aplenty. Prepare yourself each day to maximize on the good cheer and love of the season while minimizing the drama and madness.
Wishing you all peace and joy this holiday week.
