As with everything I do, I try to keep a beginners mind. Shoshin (初心) is a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind”. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would.
Although I’ve been challenging myself daily to improve my mental and physical health and wellness, each morning requires a daily reset – a reboot to remind myself of my hopes, dreams and aspirations. If I don’t awake each day with this reminder to tread this path leading to a more deliberate and intentional life, than I backslide. It’s similar to training at the gym, I find that my mind must also be trained, daily.
The Power of the Purposeful Pause
Communication experts will tell you to be aware of the power of silence between conversations. When the other person finishes speaking, take a breath, relax and smile before saying anything. They know that “the pause” is a key part of improving communication and relationships.
I’ve been reading Tara Brach’s Radical Acceptance and I am going to share her mindful technique of practicing the purposeful pause. Now, while pausing when having a conversation with others is always an intelligent idea, pausing to listen to the conversations happening inside your own head is another. To bow to this experience happening within and around you, whatever it is, right now.
For example, if I’m worried about an argument I had with someone and thoughts of revenge fog my brain, I pause, accept that this is how I am feeling right now, I do not fight it and just accept it and let it go. It’s powerful. Actually recognizing the pain helps make way for a better decision, a better outcome.
Cultivating Self-Compassion
We can practice radical acceptance (note: Tara is not talking about building a victim narrative here), by pausing and then meeting whatever is happening inside of us with an unconditional friendliness and compassion. The way you might treat your best friend or brother or sister.
I practice remembering that I cannot be a fair weather friend to myself. I will not push away anger, jealousy, or pain. Instead I will treat myself with compassion and understanding and recognize the anguish of this moment. This will allow me to create a safe haven for my vulnerability and to be present to the healing that can happen in my mind.
Recommended Reading from Tara Brach
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
Of Undisputed Origin 
A weak mind. Dont get on the path until one of the few competent shrinks (I’m basically it and … No new clients…) gets you ready.
The Way is won by the strong. The truth of The Truth stripped of dogma and religion and deism… What has been forgotten as the Buddha’s words have been multiplied millions of millions of times over (his advice is a five minute read that took me 25 ageless years to realize in totality, his unknown deeds made to rival the bullshit hindu bullshit gods etc…
I inured myself to pain by willing it to be so (fibro). I have retrograde eidetic visual memory that imoroves daily.
For effing real. And I also am an Asp (Aspergers) so I dont care about you though i am filled with white warm light but avg people are to me as 80 iq chimpanzees are to you and id much prefer you fought with feces flinging…
Stop now. The trip is not the destination and the trip is impossible if consciously followed.
I suggest any of whatever keeps you going when it isnt talking about weather, ignoring anything at all important, the like…
There are things to purchase, for instance.
dbmllc, venerable
in coop alienandroid, sardonic
LikeLike
Your post is like a gentle summer shower clearing out the dust of the mind and replacing it with freshness and clarity. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person