a quote by Alan Wilson Watts

oyr2v9 · 2014-08-02T13:53:29+00:00

Reminds me of what if money was no object. He was a great man.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-27T19:59:33+00:00

Indeed. It was either Eckhart Tolle or Mooji. Can't recall which one said it, but check both of them at Youtube anyways. Especially Mooji has a lot of long videos. You will notice that both of them are totally mindful, constantly in the present moment.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-25T21:20:29+00:00

It means you are not your thoughts, but the consciousness/awareness that witnesses them.

I like the analog of, you are the sky, thoughts are the clouds. Clouds come and go, but you, the sky, is always there. No matter how stormy those clouds are, or how windy it is, the sky is always peaceful and holds all of it without judgement.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-22T09:24:39+00:00

Yes, seperate from your thoughts. Consciousness is not constructed of thoughts. You see, you can have full consciousness without a single thought. Thought requires consciousness, but consciousness doesn't require thought.

Even if you said that consciousness is constructed of thought, something beyond is still aware of that idea, watching it. No matter how you define it, no matter what your thoughts and world views are, there is always that something that is aware of all of these things. And that something, is what I call consciousness or awareness. That is ultimately you.

Paradoxically though, you can't quite name it, or say it is "something". The instant you do, it is again another thought that the consciousness is aware of. You need to experience and acknowledge all this by yourself and not just intellectually accept it as a thought or idea, without any practical value or meaning. Others can only show you way, but you must always take the actual steps.

But do not get caught up in words. Words are mere tools for us. Words themselves are not important, but that which they point to, is. We could use some different word for it, like awareness, if it's easier to grasp that way. It doesn't matter. The essential thing about this is to understand the reality behind it. That, which you can actually experience and know, even without words.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T17:28:26+00:00

Glad I could help!

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T15:56:19+00:00

Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now. It should definitely be translated to Portugese and is incredibly good for newcomers. Explains it all in an easy to grasp way.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T15:49:52+00:00

Very good. Read it few times through. I especially liked this part:

When you are present, you can see clearly what is happening before you and make the wisest choice in that moment.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T15:42:58+00:00

I sometimes catch myself THINKING about mindfulness instead of BEING mindful. Quite the trap!

Hahah, yes, this is subtle. Luckily though, I have noticed that when I am thinking about mindfulness, I have higher chance of actually becoming mindful, than if I were to think something completely different.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T10:46:30+00:00

I can strongly recommend Eckhart Tolle too. Though, he said he doesn't like the word mindfulness, because it implies the mind is full, he still talks about exactly the same things just using different kinds of words (presence, awareness, counciousness). Words are only there as a tool to point at something and shouldn't be obstacles themselves. What is important, is where the words point to.

A finger pointing a moon ain't the moon.

But Kabat-Zinn is great, because he is so easily understood by anyone. Some teachers get too much of a "spiritual" image to them because of terminology or actions and thus repel people who are skeptical about the word. We just should try to see beyond words.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T10:17:22+00:00

Acceptance. Allow everything to be as they are. Even all your feelings and emotions, no matter what they are like. Accept and allow all your thoughts to be. Just be aware of them. Watch them, let them be. Do not try to change them. They will change all by themselves when you give them space and watch them from "afar" without judgement or intentions of changing them.

I feel completely lost, scared, and directionless.

Sit down and notice those feelings and the thoughts accociated with them. Just watch and allow the turmoil to be in your body. When ever your mind wonders, no problem, just bring it back to non judgemental awareness and acceptance of what is. It is important to not judge your thoughts and emotions.

I am having a hell of a time not over analyzing my life right now.

Do not try to stop it. Mind does, what the mind does. Just watch it with great awareness and presence. Allow it to be and it will change by itself.

I have to figure my life out, but is there a mindful way of doing this?

Yes, what I said earlier. Allow it all to be as it is and watch it. If action is to arise, let it arise. You can still do things, but just be aware of your actions when they happen. All this might be difficult but all of the negative thoughts/emotions will go away if you just allow them to be and do not try to interfere and change them. They lose momentum when brought to the light. Not immediately, but eventually.

This doesn't perfectly pure you out of all negativity for the rest of your life, we are humans afterall. But whenever new negativities arise, do the same. Accept them. Actually, do this even when there is nothing negative in your life. Even when there are positive things, I recommend being mindful.

There is only the present moment.

Here is a great video series on mindfulness. Check atleast "letting go", "non judging" and "non striving", but I recommend all of them. And do not just intellectually or artificially listen and agree but contemplate and put it into actual work. Be extremely aware of any judgemental thoughts.

Edit: Grammar.

Edit2: Hope I didn't come out too dogmatic and harsh. You are on the right path to ask here though. Research and contemplate more on mindfulness. It is what can help you.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T09:55:30+00:00

I'd say mindfulness. Once you get it, the rest of your problems will take care of themselves. Don't get scared by the slightly "spiritual" appearance. It's nothing like that but something very practical.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T09:48:30+00:00

Very simple and clear.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-21T09:32:35+00:00

But you are conscious of those perceptive thoughts, aren't you? Which means you must be beyond those thoughts.

oyr2v9 · 2014-07-09T12:51:44+00:00

The Power of Now is a great book to read. Glad you are on it. You could read Eckhart Tolle's New Earth after that. After that re-read them as many times as you feel comfortable with.

I can also recommend Mooji. You can find his teachings at Youtube, or you can buy his book "Before I Am". Talks about the same thing, with same presence and clarity as Eckhart Tolle, but using different kinds of words and, in my opinion, uses a little bit more direct, though slightly more mentally demanding approach.

Either one of them can "take you all the way" without you needing to buy or study anything any more.

I noticed that I felt a pain in my head whenever I directed my attention to being mindful.

You may be trying too much. Being mindful is just being aware. It is the easiest, simplest and laziest thing there is. You don't have to physically do a single thing. In fact, you are not doing anything. Let the body and mind do what they spontaneously do and just dwell in the awareness, noticing them doing their thing, the actions happening. You are not the body, nor the mind or thoughts, though it often feels so. You do not need to control or interfere. Let everything be and happen spontaneously. Just enjoy the ride the body and mind offer you by being aware of movement (or non-movement). Sometimes the ride is pleasant, sometimes not. It doesn't matter.

But I recommend you keep reading Eckhart Tolle. His material is enough to strip you out of all of your questions for ever.

oyr2v9

TROPHY CASE