Beauty is in the light of the beholder….
Meditation: Day 16 - Your Perception Holds The Key
Meditation: Day 16 - Your Perception Holds The Key
(Chopra Center 21-Day Meditation Challenge: Shedding the Weight
Centering Thought: I see myself as a being of light.
Mantra: Ravaye Hum (I ram the radiance of supreme light.)
Quote: "The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W.B. Yeats
… and, in the words of Romeo, "That which we call a rose/ by any other name would smell as sweet."
Perception and judgement are two very distinct yet related topics. Judgement follows perception, yet judgement need not be the necessary outcome of it. Indeed, mindfulness is often described as paying attention (perceiving) on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. In many ways, not judging is akin to wholly accepting.
The Buddha described four ways in which people judge:
1) Based upon outward appearance
2) Based upon the opinion of others
3) Based upon economic status
4) According to reality
I would argue that there are far more ways to judge situations, things, others, ourselves, and our pasts, presents, and futures.
Consistent mindfulness practice can help up observe and identify judgments as they come up. Once a judgment is made, getting upset with ourselves or trying to rid ourselves of the judgment is futile. Instead, it is best that we consciously take account of the judgment and resolve to move forward with an open mind.
Not judging does mean that things do not impact us or that certain events, things, thoughts, and people don't affect us negatively or positively. Rather, staying nonjudgmental allows us to stay emotionally regulated and empowered to assess the situation in the most holistic and objective way.
In practice, not judging means that we are able to step back from a situation and take a birds' eye view of the circumstances without getting caught up in their content. It means that we walk the bath between attraction and aversion, praise and blame, like and dislike without being pulled one way or another by the whims of our minds and our conditioning. In practice, not judging can feel like walking on a tightrope. And like tightrope walking, it involves patience, practice, and plenty of falling down and getting up again.
In the end, perceiving is being able to see what is. Judgment is filtering that through a good-bad duality.
PS Article roundup:
Indiana Women Are Calling the Governor About Their Periods
BMI baby: infants should have Body Mass Index checked at six months
A new study looks at why bike share is so much safer than regular biking
This Could Be the Youngest Woman Ever Elected to Congress
This Classroom Stationary Bike Generates Electricity From Kids Who Pedal As They Learn
Fracking Can Contaminate Drinking Water
Women in California Can Now Get Birth Control From a Pharmacist
Kids' Grades Can Suffer When Mom Or Dad Is Depressed
PPS
… and, in the words of Romeo, "That which we call a rose/ by any other name would smell as sweet."
Perception and judgement are two very distinct yet related topics. Judgement follows perception, yet judgement need not be the necessary outcome of it. Indeed, mindfulness is often described as paying attention (perceiving) on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. In many ways, not judging is akin to wholly accepting.
The Buddha described four ways in which people judge:
1) Based upon outward appearance
2) Based upon the opinion of others
3) Based upon economic status
4) According to reality
I would argue that there are far more ways to judge situations, things, others, ourselves, and our pasts, presents, and futures.
Consistent mindfulness practice can help up observe and identify judgments as they come up. Once a judgment is made, getting upset with ourselves or trying to rid ourselves of the judgment is futile. Instead, it is best that we consciously take account of the judgment and resolve to move forward with an open mind.
Not judging does mean that things do not impact us or that certain events, things, thoughts, and people don't affect us negatively or positively. Rather, staying nonjudgmental allows us to stay emotionally regulated and empowered to assess the situation in the most holistic and objective way.
In practice, not judging means that we are able to step back from a situation and take a birds' eye view of the circumstances without getting caught up in their content. It means that we walk the bath between attraction and aversion, praise and blame, like and dislike without being pulled one way or another by the whims of our minds and our conditioning. In practice, not judging can feel like walking on a tightrope. And like tightrope walking, it involves patience, practice, and plenty of falling down and getting up again.
In the end, perceiving is being able to see what is. Judgment is filtering that through a good-bad duality.
- Shoshin - also known as "beginner's mind" - is a Zen Buddhist concept that refers to having an attitude that is open, eager, and free of preconceptions, just as a beginner learning any new task would.
- Today, deliberately set aside 3 five-minute period of time to observe and interact with the world around you using beginner's mind. See, smell, hear, taste, and feel things as though it were the first time.
- If judgments or memories come up, observe them and effortlessly let them go.
PS Article roundup:
Indiana Women Are Calling the Governor About Their Periods
BMI baby: infants should have Body Mass Index checked at six months
A new study looks at why bike share is so much safer than regular biking
This Could Be the Youngest Woman Ever Elected to Congress
This Classroom Stationary Bike Generates Electricity From Kids Who Pedal As They Learn
Fracking Can Contaminate Drinking Water
Women in California Can Now Get Birth Control From a Pharmacist
Kids' Grades Can Suffer When Mom Or Dad Is Depressed
PPS
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