The mind is a seemingly unruly, wild creature at times. However, it is important not to enter into any sort of battle with it. Our ultimate task here is to just watch and feel into our present moment experience.
I've had many contacts with various "spiritual" teachers over the years, but the best teaching I ever encountered came from a man in India we called Papaji who gave that teaching in just two words:
Just Stop...
Try out "just stopping" for yourself and feel intimately what your experience is in this moment. Without any comment, judgment, attachment or aversion, just see "what is".
Watch it all, even any comments, aversions, etc. that might be wanting to enter into your experiencing.
If we can at last "just stop" all the regrets, all the worrying, judgments, efforts to figure it all out, etc., perhaps we can begin to see a bit deeper into just what a miraculous thing this one moment really is.
We can then perhaps arrive at a true understanding that this moment is all that actually exists for us in the end and, in turn, begin to truly appreciate the eternal essence of this pure presence and the true potential that is always here to support our own growth and happiness.
Shikan taza, or "just sitting", is a kind of bare-bones method of meditation practiced within the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. One receives the essential instructions related to correct posture, etc. and then is essentially left to face a wall and be with all that arises within the mind. One's job here, is to essentially face it all without judgment or any urge to change any of it.
I suggest, that if you feel drawn to do a formal meditation practice, look around and see which one resonates with you the best. You can as well enroll in my own online course True Meditation. There's a free trial available.
When we are finally able to begin to embody our original and free nature, beyond the fluctuations of the thoughts and stories that arise, we then naturally show up as an example for others, revealing through our presence, the freedom that already exists within the felt experience of a moment.
Images:
Tachina Lee
Iswanto Arif
Mohammad Bagher
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