This week’s topic for reflection is this moment. Of coarse we are always present in this moment as it’s not possible to be in the past or future. However in our busy, rushing lives it is easy to loose sight of this moment. Our thinking minds take us away and our bodies follow along. Sometimes it is important to focus on figuring things out and planning but if we allow the thinking to dominate it will readily take charge. What is lost when we’re swept away in thinking and we loose touch with the moment?
Mindfulness practices are designed to settle us and bring us back to this moment. Body scans and breath awareness help us touch into how we are physically, right now. Listening patiently, opens us to the unseen world existing around us. Mindful eating involves slowing down to eat each bite separately, chewing and tasting before going on to the next bite. Also eating mindfully only what is needed, trying not to engage in greed leads to more self awareness. Mindfulness is training to directly experience what is happening in this moment without the thinking based on judging from past experience and expectation of the future.
Zazen meditation is training in being present and open in this moment. Sitting still with an upright posture or an upright attitude, look into this moment. This specific moment. What do you find? What is the nature of this moment? The past and future are thoughts. What is the present moment? The present moment sounds as if it is a noun. Is this moment a thing, an it? Is this moment separate from you, something outside that you can experience? What does it mean to “Take a moment”? How long does a moment last? How would you describe this moment? When do you feel most alive?
Please join us on Zoom for morning zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, in person Zen meditation in Eugene Saturday morning at the McNail-Riley house from 8:30 to 11:00 and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
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