Easier Said Than Done

One of the biggest obstacles we have in our journey to transcend suffering, is not living in the moment.  To be focused on right now.  When we choose to live in the moment, we can think and process the world around us with greater clarity.  As humans experiencing  suffering, we tend to lose track of the moment.  We often get stuck in a past moment with unresolved emotions, or thoughts.  At the same time we can become stuck in the future.  All of these unresolved moments add up to our suffering.

My biggest moment sticker is anger.  My anger often stems from my ego.  If I take slight at something that someone else does, I hold on to angry thoughts.  It is OK to be angry, but to holding on to it is the folly of suffering.  For instance if I am driving and somebody turns out right in front of me, and cuts me off, I get angry.  The problem is when I stay mad for the next ten minutes planning what I would say to this person in an angry manner. This is how easy it is to become stuck in the past and the future at the same time.

By deduction then it must be that the way out of our suffering comes from within us.  If it is true that we hold on to our suffering the it is true that we have the power to let go of our suffering.  This is profound.  It is something I have been able to experience in my life, but it is difficult to maintain if one does not live in the moment.

We can teach ourselves to live in the moment.  The best way is through meditation.  meditation is difficult.  If it weren't everyone would be doing it.  Meditation with focused breathing is very powerful.  Meditation is simply sitting with legs folded and one leg in front of the other, and hands on knees palms up.  Burning incense while meditating helps open one to spirit.  I also like to listen to meditation music or chanting while meditating.  Start by taking slow deep breaths.  Focus on deep rhythmic breathing.  One will notice various thoughts and emotions coming to the surface especially when one is new to meditation.  Acknowledge the thought and then refocus on breathing and or music.  The more you practice this, the easier it is to live in the moment.  We soon learn to let go of our attachments to our thought and emotions.  We resolve each moment as it happens.  It is also easier to see when we are becoming stuck in a moment, and correct it with a simple deep breath.

" A saint is a very simple man:  when he walks, he walks.  When he talks, he talks and that's all.  He doesn't think while listening, daydream while walking, see while touching.  This is hard.  That is why he is a saint."  Sujata, Beginning To See


Blessings
Rev. Jeremy