Mindfulness Challenges

Deeper Meaning Behind Becoming Aware of Space

What is the deeper meaning behind the mindfulness challenge this week of paying attention to the space that surrounds objects? The implications of this exercise are actually profound.

We spend our lives focusing our attention on the physical objects that we see in front of our eyes. We believe that is all there is. Our perceptions guide us to believe that what we think to be physical is solid. We misinterpret the reality of that physical object; we unconsciously believe that it is packed with molecules that are nested together, side by side.

The reality is that any physical object is actually composed of far, far, far more space than the physical aspects of its configuration. I am even here talking about solid objects such as steel and rocks that we typically think are compacted physically. They are not.

This is also true of our bodies. We think of our bodies as pretty solid in their configuration and constitution. The reality is there is far, far, far more space in our bodies than matter in the form of tissues and cells that have a physical form.

When we look at our physical world we believe that anything which exists takes on a solid, physical form. We believe that in our bodies we are solidly one; when in fact, the space that occupies our bodies constitutes far, far, far, far more of what we are than the physical aspect of our being.

We tend to get attached to certain objects and possessions. For example, many of us have animals; we get attached to those animals and we feel as though that is largely what constitutes joy in our life – our animals, the love and compassion that they return to us that is unqualified. And yet, the reality is even within the space of those animals there is a significant universe we never see or acknowledge.

When we begin to observe space, then, we open up our awareness to the reality that there is an existence far beyond the reality of our own limited perceptions. This is particularly important when it comes to thought forms. You see, we tend to attach ourselves to specific thoughts,

“I’m not good enough.”
“I haven’t accomplished enough.”
“People don’t appreciate who I am or what I am.”
“I’m really not able to manifest what it is that I have always dreamed of manifesting.”
“I wanted to be a piano player. I can never do that now because my fingers are too rigid.”
“I wanted to be a singer but I can’t do that now because my voice is horse and soft”
Et cetera. Et cetera.

These thoughts all limit us. We do this to ourselves.

Think of the space beyond that. Think of the thoughts that are potential thoughts beyond those limiting thoughts. It really opens up endless possibilities and hope for the future. The space, the universe, the realities out there that we are unaware of are limitless.

This is a new time for everyone. This is a time in the universe and in the world that is unprecedented. We are seeing change in the world that is miraculous.

Be open to the space that you have not acknowledged heretofore and watch all of your stress over what you cannot accomplish or enjoy dissolve minute by minute, day by day, week by week. Stress cannot exist when we hold the reality in our consciousness that endless possibilities exist.

Robert

Space

The mindfulness challenge this week has far reaching implications. My challenge for this week is to become more aware of space. We typically focus our attention on objects, on their physicality. For example, if we’re sitting at a table, we are focused on the physical aspects and character of the table and all of the surroundings: the chairs around the table, the objects on the table, trinkets that may be sitting on top of other tables that are nearby. In other words, when we look, we see the physical objects that occupy the space that engulfs us, not the space itself.

Switch that habit. Switch your channel of attention this week. Focus instead on the space around the objects. One of the ways to do this exercise (and to discover the power of its hidden implications) is to focus on the leaves or the branches of a tree. We typically only look at the branches themselves. As you look at trees this week, redirect the focus of your attention to the space between the leaves or the branches. You will have to stand still for a few minutes to pull this observational task off.

Look at the space that surrounds objects and you will be amazed at how your consciousness shifts. Be aware of space everywhere as you go through your week, day in and day out.

May you have a delightful and exciting time becoming more aware of the many wonders of the world. There are millions more wonders than seven!

Robert

Deeper Implications Behind Leaving No Trace

What has been your experience with tidying up a corner of your house or office? Please, reflect back now. Have you been thinking as you’ve tidied up,

“This is sure taking a lot of time. I’d much rather be doing A or B or C.”

Perhaps you were thinking,

“Is this really something that’s going to help? I could really differ this particular activity until tomorrow.”

Have you thought as you’ve been tidying up,

“Oh, I really need to go and do that other, important task that I promised myself I would do right now.”

In other words, as you were attending to the challenge of tidying up, were you actually living in the future or the past and not in the present? Were you actually not attentive to the experience of what it means to put everything back in its proper place?

The challenge of the week is to invite you to reflect on your reactions doing something that you typically would not do. There is, however, a deeper and much more profound implication to this particular assignment.

Our egos are extremely effective at sabotaging our intent to get well. We have all sorts of rationales that we use for why we should not attend to doing what it is that we well-know will help us feel significantly better.

How many times have you said,

“Yes, yes I know I need to exercise today. I know I’ll feel better but I just don’t feel up to it.”

How many times have you said that to yourself? My hand is raised. I use that rationale all the time. Or how about,

“Oh, I really should go out for a walk but it’s drizzling outside. I don’t want to walk in the rain. It might make me sick.”

You see, we have very intricate and extensive rationales that we use for why it is that we cannot attend to the tasks and the duties that we know will help us feel better.

How about eating well? How many times have you said,

“Well, I don’t feel like eating that fresh, live food today. I think I’d much rather have steak, potatoes and macaroni and cheese.”

Yes, that is yummy food for the stomach. For some people it is comfort food. But is it really going to help you feel better? You know the answer.

“No, I’m not going to feel better if I eat those foods.”

The challenge then is to simply acknowledge when we offer to ourselves those seemingly rational reasons why we should not be doing what it is that we know is in our best and highest good. We really do know what we need to do to feel better. We really do know what we need to do to help ourselves reverse symptoms. Yet, we continue into the same rut of habits that undo our ability to recover and become symptom-free.

Becoming mindful then of physical tasks is a golden opportunity to transfer those same rationales over to our decision-making moment to moment about what we can do for ourselves. One common rationale is to say

“I have to work. I have to make money. I really don’t have time to be able to go to these appointments with these health care providers.”

Does that rationale sound familiar to you? You see, it is the same as deciding you need to leave the dishes in the sink.

Enjoy then, continuing your assignment and accepting the challenge to become totally and completely mindful of tidying up. When you tidy up that sink, when you tidy up that bathroom or whatever corner of the house you’ve chosen to focus on, you actually transfer the same skill set over to being able to assure that you will be tidying up all of the imbalances that are currently present in your body.

It’s an approach that is positive.

It will guarantee that a strong life force will begin to flow through every cell of your body.
It will ensure that you are focused on the moment.
It will guarantee that you will act on the intuitions that you have about what is necessary to begin feeling better.

Have fun as you continue tidying up that corner of the house that has been full of clutter for all too long.

Robert

Leave No Trace

The physical setting where we reside, eat, live and enjoy our life is symbolic of our inner health. Look around where you are currently sitting or standing right now. Are the physical surroundings tidy, are they orderly? You might say,

“I’ve never been a tidy or orderly person. It doesn’t make any sense to me to lead a life that is totally tidy and wrapped up. I’m just not that type of person.”

When we clean up the clutter that surrounds our life, we allow the life force to move through our bodies. We gain energy.

If there is significant clutter that surrounds us where we eat, live and work, it’s likely to be that we’ll feel our life force stifled and stymied. Now, there are two ways to approach this challenge. The first approach is to say

“Once I begin feeling better, once my health returns, once I have reversed the symptoms that I have been experiencing then I’ll be able to clean up the mess in my living room, office, kitchen, in my bedroom. I’ll get to work on that when I feel better.”

A second approach – which as it turns out is also significantly effective – is to simply reverse the process. You acknowledge,

“No, I don’t have a lot of energy today.”
“No, I’m not feeling particularly well.”
“Yes, my symptoms are in my face.”
“But, I’m going to simply begin moving to clean up the clutter of my life.”

Guess what will happen? You’ll get more energy. Your life force will begin to flow through every cell of your body. Your energy will beging to sizzle.

The mindfulness challenge this week is to leave no trace in a place of choosing in your home. This particular place could be a kitchen, a bedroom, an office or even a corner of an office. For example, we continuously eat and oftentimes we leave the dishes in the sink without washing them. If your choice is to focus your challenge of the week on the kitchen do the following.

When you use some dishes, wash them immediately. Do not leave the dishes in the sink. Do not expect someone else will clean them up. Do not say to yourself

“I’ll attend to that tomorrow.”

The challenge of the week is to be mindful of everything that you use. Honor it. Respect its sacredness. Celebrate the value that it gives to you whether that object be a fork, a spoon, a knife, a plate, a toothbrush, a pencil, a pen or papers.

To summarize, the challenge of the week is to focus on keeping a corner in your home or office tidy throughout the week. When you make a mess, clean it up immediately so that when you leave that space, you leave no trace. It is as if you were never there. Nobody would know, not even a professional detective.

Enjoy yourself this week as you leave no trace in the space of your choosing.

Robert