Mind the Gap

I just finished reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" and found some of the distinctions in the book to be very powerful and insightful.  Like many books on development, I found it a bit repetitive, however, here are the gems for me:

Clock Time vs. Psychological Time

• Clock Time = Now in physical space and in real time requests/actions.
• Psychological Time = In the future/past.  Generally manifests as worry/anxiety for me.

I found this distinction very helpful in catching myself spending a lot of time worrying about something rather than doing something about it.

Situations vs. Problems

• Situations = Now.  Choice is to accept or take action.
• Problems = In the mind, usually bound to psychological time.

One point being made was that situations do occur that are not pleasant for us.  Life does happen, we step on bees, feel pain, etc.  And, we have the choice to work with situations and/or make them into problems.  I could take action on having stepped on a bee and be done with it.  Or, I could unconsciously build up that moment into a fear for the future and start spinning out of control whenever I see a bee.  The problem occurs when one's mind starts spinning without consciousness (defined as being able to step into the gap and watch the mind's talk). 

Reactions are your test of being/consciousness:

You will be taken over by a reaction, which ultimately is always some form of fear, and pulled into deep unconsciousness.  Those challenges are your tests.  Only the way in which you deal with them will show you and others where you are at as far as your state of consciousness is concerned, not how long you can sit with your eyes closes or what visions you see.

...Once a mind pattern, an emotion, or a reaction is there, accept it. You were not conscious enough to have a choice in the matter.

This isn't saying that you're not responsible for your reactions. In that particular moment you could not step into the gap, or even perceive that you could.  Oops...welcome to being human.

It's like walking down the street and stepping into a divot in the sidewalk.  Had you seen it, you would have chosen differently.  But you didn't.  You can accept what happened and in that acceptance get present to those divots (to hopefully mind the gap next time), or you can get in resistance about it and have guilt, "shoulds,"  and probably some blame to spice up the mix.

I'd love to hear about your practice for minding the gap and how, when you don't, you care for those divots.

Ahoy, there be new ahead!

It's interesting to be stepping back into this space again, after three years.  I see livejournal as too much of a random spattering of old history and facebook is for quick minimal connection, so here I am.

I lot has happened in the last three years and what's present for me now is that new is on the horizon.

Teresa G. and I were talking a few weeks ago at a coffee shop and I said something about how I'm not so much of a risk taker to a new suitor of hers.  She smiled and chuckled, her eyes and mouth both saying something to the effect of that we're not physical risk takers but we shake up our lives.

I'm both nervous and excited about some new quakes, predominantly, moving to the Bay Area and taking six months to focus on renewing my energies and interests.

As part of this focus, I've been journaling in a new way.  Write in the future as if it already happened:

This evening I arrived at Fusion 2011 (personal growth retreat).  It was so good to see the faces of last year and hear that those that couldn't make it were off adventuring.  I shared with everyone how relaxed I've been feeling.  My six months of renewal were amazing.  I took art classes, started an amazing garden, and began learning Portuguese for James' and my trip to Brazil.  I went back to educational consulting and am loving it.  Working with kids and families feels so good.  Speaking of family, I've been skyping with my brother and sister and getting to know them better.  I even visited my sister in Chicago.  It's been a wonderful year since the last fusion.

  I wonder...what's new for you?

Danielle