There can’t be anything wrong with practicing mindfulness unless it leads to negative experiences. It’s no surprise that a Western, capitalistic, consumer-driven society has taken something meaningful and watered it down. Apps like Headspace, Calm, Buddhify, Breethe, and 10% Happier provide a great service for a nominal fee. I teach about mindfulness for a nominal fee, so I’m a big fan of any practice that can help people feel calmer and live more connected lives. In other words, I’m either a big fan or part of the problem. (tee hee)
There is always the possibility of unintended consequences with spiritual discipline. The original meaning or purpose of any tradition can easily get lost when transferred from one culture to another. Mindfulness practices here in the West seem centered on one’s own wellbeing. The practice of Naikan, a variation of mindfulness in Japan, is based on kindness and compassion toward others, instead of egocentrism. Teachings through this practice shapes a person’s character by focusing on the importance of relating to others. Buddhism teaches living morally and ethically in a community as a way to build inner peace through fulfillment.
Enlightenment starts with honesty and recognition of the truth of our human existence. So how has mindfulness changed from its original design – to eliminate greed, hatred, and delusion – to a way to cultivate wisdom and compassion? How is it sold as a solution to our problems and an answer to happiness? Can you consume a mindfulness practice for the sole purpose of feeling good? What is the goal? Speaking of goals, the motivation behind this weekly word study is to find answers to complex questions like these surrounding mindfulness.
The Universal message with most practices taught by religions, gurus, and teachers around the world is how to recognize and maintain balance. Perception of life with the absence of judgment brings clarity that leads to freedom from unhealthy cravings, self-harm, and detrimental behaviors. Building higher levels of self-awareness is achieved through any process dedicated to expansion of consciousness.
Balanced masculine and feminine energies must be integrated to achieve some level of enlightenment. The elimination of unhealthy attachments comes from the highest level of self-awareness, using discernment with a focus on kindness, and compassion directed toward all living beings. Enlightenment as the aim of the soul is a process that can last several lifetimes, which takes great determination with a clear focus on the target. The dismantling of the ego, not its elimination, is the product of true mindfulness.
Being mindful can instill the necessary qualities and traits that would support healthy relationships with self and others. The purity of the soul is found well beneath the surface of mental and emotional residues accumulated from past experiences. The focus of mindfulness practices must reach a certain depth to be effective toward reaching the goal of true enlightenment. Are you engaged with a mindfulness practice that serves to further your awareness around connecting, relating to others, and love for humanity? Are you clear with the goal of the practice?
These questions must be answered to discern appearances verses depth of experience.
Bring joy, ease suffering and create beauty, then dance like you mean it!
Blessings, Russell
“Feelings, whether of compassion or irritation, should be welcomed, recognized, and treated on an absolutely equal basis; because both are ourselves. The tangerine I am eating is me. The mustard greens I am planting are me. I plant with all my heart and mind. I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath. Nothing should be treated more carefully than anything else. In mindfulness, compassion, irritation, mustard green plant, and teapot are all sacred.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
