Hello everyone,
This week we read up to pg 80, Exercise: Stop Trying to Control Everything. We talked about the second noble truth and got into the second step. We discussed how clinging creates our suffering and our version of becoming willing to believe and the idea that change is possible in recovery. But how do we change? Mindfulness is about becoming more aware of the present moment and what is, so that we can change how we respond to what is without clinging.
On pg 75, Kevin makes a distinction between "careful investigation, one of the key elements of insight meditation practice" and "thinking". He says "investigation doesn't mean thinking about what is happening, but rather observing closely and seeing if we can perceive closer and closer the details of the experience and begin to detect patterns and processes within experience."
Can you appreciate and relate to the difference between "investigation" and "thinking"? And if so, how?
For me, I know that when I think about something I am usually trying to figure it out, or I am telling myself a story about whatever is happening. If I can just observe without getting enmeshed in the story, I'm better able to see the pattern in my own thinking or behavior. It's not easy, but watching my breath without controlling it is good practice for doing this. Observing my thoughts without trying to control them or stop them. This is a continual practice for me and is why I sit and meditate - to practice.
What about you?
