|
|
|
Full Moon Wisdom
| |
"Develop an interest in life...the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls, and interesting people. Forget yourself." ~ Henry Miller
|
|
|
| Dear Michael, |  With the holidays upon us, this time of year is often very rich and full, from our schedules, to our bellies, to the memories we create at family gatherings and community festivities. Interestingly enough, a lot of people essentially choose not to experience fullness. They tell themselves that they can't be happy because somebody is frustrating them or they don't have something that they want or they feel they have been disappointed. Since life does not achieve their notion of "perfection," they choose to live as if something is missing. The great Indian philosopher and saint Shankaracharya said, "Whatever a person's mind dwells on intensely and with firm resolve [that] is exactly what he becomes." Therefore, whatever is in your mind becomes your reality and, in time, your experience. It follows that if you believe something is true, it is likely because you have repeated it to yourself a number of times like a mantra. While it is useful to put things in our minds so we can ponder or think about and work through them, problems arise when they get stuck. More so, the longer a belief lingers and the more potent the system behind it, the more strongly it becomes embedded into your mind. It literally becomes part of your makeup. Simply put, when one maintains the belief that their life is missing something, they put themselves in the predicament of being unable to experience the fullness of life, even when it surrounds them.  This holiday season, try to embrace a new inner reality. Immerse yourself in the experience of each moment. Replace the tendency to ruminate or dwell on problems with something more skillful such as a positive mindset. However, since you cannot simply turn off your thinking mind, make a conscious decision to focus on something life affirming and beautiful, especially if this is not your tendency, and most importantly, do something that reflects this shift in attention: listen to beautiful music; adorn your bedroom with fragrant flowers; add more light to your home; hike in the woods; and spend time with friends.
A life of fullness doesn't just happen to you; it is something you make. Happy creating, Michael |
|
|
|
|
Consider This...Skillful Reflection
| |
 There are several ways to cultivate a true sense of fullness in life. The deepest, longest lasting satisfaction comes when we are resonating with nature and ourselves and when we have shed most of our desires. Conscious awareness-the practice of remaining in contact with the true source of contentment-is the ultimate path to greater equanimity. Even in the midst of fear, misery and chaos, we can return to this feeling. Overtime, this state of contentment becomes the new habit. The key is to give it our fullest attention when it arises.
While even the most wonderful moments fade eventually, we can appreciate that they offer a rare glimpse of the nature of contentment. Contentment is never realized through external sources alone. Inner stillness and peace of mind are the foundations of true contentment.
Imagine, then, what it feels like to sit quietly with nature or with a community of people simply connected by peace and love. Afterward, try the more challenging practice of sitting quietly and continuously without getting sucked into the thoughts and stories that will arise-instead, let them float by like passing clouds. True contentment is woven into the fabric of our being. Our task is to simply discover where it resides.
Please share your thoughts...
|
|
Advice from the Skillful Doctor | 
Question: Ever since my mother died, the holidays are very difficult for me. She was such a big part of my holiday traditions, and now that she's gone, I just don't feel like they're complete.
Answer: While the love we feel for others is such an important part of having a full life, the other side of that coin is the grief we experience when we lose some aspect of that connection, such as when a person dies. As painful as loss can be, we could only feel that by virtue of having loved. In that way, love and grief are strange partners. Sometimes, living a rich life means fully accepting and appreciating the pain it brings. However, while we must experience pain, it is important that we not get stuck in the mindset of cultivating suffering in our lives; that part of it is unnecessary and here you have a choice
 Indeed, you can choose to experience fullness in all of life's moments. Even if you are experiencing pain or grief, you can feel fullness as well. It is important to allow yourself to stay in touch with your emotions - even the difficult ones - but don't let them dominate your experience of the moment. To do this try keeping yourself open to the simple beauty that surrounds you, whether it is the sunshine outside the window or the smell of an amazing meal being cooked. The key to all of this is to allow yourself to feel, using all of your senses, so that the thoughts in your mind alone do not interfere with your ability to experience beauty in the moment. When you do this, I think you will feel a greater sense of fullness, renewing the relationship between those in the past with your life in the present.
Please submit your own question here.
|
|
Announcement | |
On Thursday, December 16th, we will be hosting a discussion of the book The Dirt of Clean: An Unsanitized History by Katherine Ashenburg. As a part of this, we will be taking a look at modern hygiene practices and the ways we think of cleanliness. A journalist from Arte TV in France (www.arte.tv will be attending to film our conversations, so we hope you can attend. For more information, please email vida@trentandcompany.com.
On Tuesday, February 15th at 7pm, I will be leading a workshop at The Bedford Post Inn. The workshop will cover "Restoring Balance in a 'Chronic' Culture." Chronic health conditions on the rise in the US, where more than half of Americans are afflicted with a long-term or permanent illness. This workshop is designed to help anyone who is dealing with a chronic condition, anyone whose loved one has a chronic condition and anyone who feels out of balance. Whether someone is struggling with fibromyalgia or asthma, migraines or depression, back pain or cancer, infertility or addiction, the workshop will offer actionable steps for dealing with a long-term condition physically, emotionally and spiritually. I will also offer thoughts on why these often-devastating afflictions are so common today.
The next three episodes of The Skillful Living Room Radio Show will be available here the day after they air. You can, of course, listen live, by tuning into the "listen live" link at Business Talk Radio. The show airs every Saturday at 12 Noon EST.
|
|
FINALLY! A MeaningFull Action for the Full Moon
|
I close today's letter with this suggested activity for the full moon:
 Today, list ten things that help you appreciate the beauty of the world and the fullness of your life, whether they are relationships, activities or observations. Each day this week, make one of these items a focus. For example, if it is a person, spend some time with him or her; if it is an activity, make it a part of your day.
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Michael Finkelstein
SunRaven
|
|
The Next Installment: New Moon, December 5, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
