Natural, propelled by the wind and thermal currents, simple, just a harness, instructor, and a large kite (paraglyde)....Yes I flew for the first time in my life this week!! It was very similar to the sensations of flying that I have experienced in dreams. I found it very relaxing and once we jumped off the edge of the moutain, I did not experience fear until we were about to land. It was wonderful to embody groundlessness. Lately, I have been exploring groundlessness (in the buddhist sense) as a way to work with anxiety or strong emotions. For example, rather than trying to find a way to feel better or strengthen my sense of self (which is a way to try to get solid ground under our feet), I have been inviting the sensations or emotions in, really sensing them rather than resisting them. Here is a poem by Rumi that reminds me of this process:
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. It may be cleaning you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-Rumi
Also on this note, I have been practicing a process called Tonglen introduced to me by Pema Chrodrin (in the book, When Things Fall Apart -I highly recommend it). It goes against the grain of what we habitually do when we encounter suffering, ours or that of others. When you are suffering, instead of resisting, breathe in the sensation of suffering or the emotion you are struggling with and exhale relief or whatever would bring relief for you. Do this for a few breaths. Than imagine all the other people in the same boat as you, suffering in a similar way, breathe in their suffering and yours and then breathe out relief or freedom from the pain. You can also do that directly for someone that you see or know of who is suffering. And if you are experiencing joy, you can breathe in the suffering of others and breathe out joy for everyone. This practice helps to reduce our resistance and helps us connect to our compassion. I think it helps us experience how connected we are and how our state of mind and emotions shift like the weather.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. It may be cleaning you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-Rumi
Also on this note, I have been practicing a process called Tonglen introduced to me by Pema Chrodrin (in the book, When Things Fall Apart -I highly recommend it). It goes against the grain of what we habitually do when we encounter suffering, ours or that of others. When you are suffering, instead of resisting, breathe in the sensation of suffering or the emotion you are struggling with and exhale relief or whatever would bring relief for you. Do this for a few breaths. Than imagine all the other people in the same boat as you, suffering in a similar way, breathe in their suffering and yours and then breathe out relief or freedom from the pain. You can also do that directly for someone that you see or know of who is suffering. And if you are experiencing joy, you can breathe in the suffering of others and breathe out joy for everyone. This practice helps to reduce our resistance and helps us connect to our compassion. I think it helps us experience how connected we are and how our state of mind and emotions shift like the weather.
No comments:
Post a Comment