Free the Thinking Mind
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 7/2020
Dear Dharma friends,
The human mind is creative and ingenious. Within the limits of our understanding, it seems to be one of the most intelligent things in the universe. It can think, analyze, imagine and create. It is part of what makes us unique as a species. Yet, the human mind has a downside. It can get tangled up in itself and doesn’t always know how to undo its knots. Until awareness arises, mind tends to continuously turn the wheel of delusion: whole heartedly believing thoughts and opinions that run through it. This fact might sound shocking, but when we objectively observe the mind, we see that this is how most of us live everyday. Now and then it might be good to be shocked into seeing this underlying “dark side” of normality.
The sun is shining everywhere, and trees are gentle radiating their textures as an act of nature’s generosity. Tiny, hard-working insects are very busy, but they aren’t stressed or overwhelmed by anxiety. During such an ordinary, and yet quietly beautiful day, if we walk outside and play with the soil - planting a tree, watering vegetables, creating a new trail - we might feel that our whole being is deeply at ease and joyous. We sense that nature has healed us. When we’re tuned into nature’s rhythm, many of our mental and emotional disturbances subside without the need to add extra techniques to make it happen. Our thinking mind is no longer running the show. In other words, we’re not so much in our heads. In such moments, our senses are in touch with nature, and we feel the incredible beauty of existence. Sometimes it’s dramatic, but often it’s very subtle.
Anything that takes us away from the thinking mind helps us find a deep ease, regardless of where we are. Flowers blooming, beautiful gardens or double rainbows are not always necessary to help us feel such inner serenity. Whenever we remember to give attention to ordinary things, it can magically take us out of our heads. It can be as simple as a pause to notice sensations in the feet, the flavor of the very first sip of tea, the sound of soft music, or even the sound of a fan running. Whenever we engage our world with conscious attention, serenity is not far behind. It’s just waiting for us to recognize it.
During this Sojong, let me invite all of you to take a look at how you have been living, and how much awareness has been part of your daily life. Let’s make a personal vow to practice this sacred attention as a doorway to inner peace.
With palms joined,
Anam Thubten
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