Meditation of the week

[Guest guest]

Meditation of the week

 

Remembering to be Present

 

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" The past has flown away.

The coming month and year do not exist;

Ours only is the present's tiny point. "

Shabistari

 

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Have you ever wished for a poor memory? We usually think of a good

memory as a helpful trait. It is useful to remember important dates and

appointments. It's good to be able to remember facts and things you

planned to do. It's nice to be able to recall where you've been or

where you've seen someone before. On the other hand, sometimes memory

can be a curse. One of the angriest and unhappiest men we've met had

the ability to give the precise dates of numerous bad things that had

happened to him and the dates of his many relapses to alcohol and drug

use. Each misfortune and failing was readily available for his instant

and constant recall. His habitual focus on the negative was

unfortunately potentiated by his remarkable memory. He truly lived in a

hell of his own making. By his habitual thought patterns he recreated

his misery moment to moment.

 

People who suffer from anxiety often have intense memories of bad

things that have happened to them. That memory is projected onto the

unknown future, where the misfortune might happen again-- or they

imagine that something even worse might happen. The anxious person's

body responds to anticipation as if the feared event was actually

occurring. This can be very unpleasant, and in serious cases

professional help may be needed. (For more information on anxiety and

panic disorders, see the links at the bottom of this page.)

 

When we remember bad things that have happened, we experience emotions

related to the past event. We may feel anxiety, or we may feel sadness.

Sometimes it is necessary to recall the unhappy event to deal with the

emotion associated with it. A good cry can be quite therapeutic. The

problem arises when we repetitively relive our worst memories and stay

trapped in their emotions.

 

One of the benefits of mindfulness practice is that it keeps us in the

present where we experience life as it is now. When we are aware of the

present moment, we are not caught in the regrets of the past or the

fears of tomorrow.

 

Living in the present does not preclude remembering what it is useful

to remember or planning constructively for the future. It may actually

improve our memory, because we are aware of what is happening in life

and not being distracted by recollections and fantasies.

 

PRACTICE:

 

Use your memory to remind you to live in the present. As you go through

your day, remember to notice where your thoughts go. Notice when you

are remembering the past. Notice when you are anticipating the future.

Notice when you are in the present.

 

When you feel an unpleasant emotion, especially anxiety or sadness,

notice what you are thinking about. Are you dredging up old unpleasant

memories? Are you projecting negative fantasies on the future? Remind

yourself that these memories and fantasies are not what is happening

now. At the same time, increase your awareness of the present. Take a

deep breath and refocus. Experience yourself in this moment. Feel your

body. Notice your surroundings. Become more aware of whatever you are

doing. Take another breath. Keep coming back to the present. Take the

moment and enjoy it.

 

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" Many sensations come, many thoughts or images arise, but they are just

waves of your own mind. Nothing comes from outside your mind. "

" To realize pure mind in your delusion is practice. If you try to expel

the delusion it will only persist the more. Just say, 'Oh, this is just

delusion.' And do not be bothered by it. "

 

Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

 

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Anxiety and Panic Resources on the Web:

Panic Disorder Site - http://panicdisorder.miningco.com/

Noodles' Panic-Anxiety Page - http://www.algy.com/anxiety/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

What a wonderful practice. Thank you so

much, this is one I will read ad do my best

to carry out daily.

Love & Light

Marjory