I receive weekly quotes from Pema Chodrun. This morning's quote was a good reminder to me about what Gurdjieff called internal and external considering.
"August 29, 2012
THINK OF OTHERS
Sharing the heart is a simple practice that can be used at any time and in every situation. It enlarges our view
and helps us remember our interconnection.
The essence of this practice is that when we encounter pain in our life we breathe into our heart with the recognition that others also feel this. It’s a way of acknowledging when we are closing down and of training to open up. When we encounter any pleasure or tenderness in our life, we cherish that and rejoice. Then we make the wish that others could also experience this delight or this relief.
In a nutshell, when life is pleasant, think of others. When life is a burden, think of others. If this is the only training we ever remember to do, it will benefit us tremendously and everyone else as well. It’s a way of bringing whatever we encounter onto the path of awakening bodhichitta."
The essence of this practice is that when we encounter pain in our life we breathe into our heart with the recognition that others also feel this. It’s a way of acknowledging when we are closing down and of training to open up. When we encounter any pleasure or tenderness in our life, we cherish that and rejoice. Then we make the wish that others could also experience this delight or this relief.
In a nutshell, when life is pleasant, think of others. When life is a burden, think of others. If this is the only training we ever remember to do, it will benefit us tremendously and everyone else as well. It’s a way of bringing whatever we encounter onto the path of awakening bodhichitta."
~~~~~~~
...again for those who tend to romanticize everything they hear or read,*"remember yourself" while practicing this. The saying "Fake it til you make it." is only helpful while you are learning to walk. By now most of you have been walking on your own for long enough to no longer 'fake it'. I had to remember this myself this week while in the company off a difficult person who commented and criticized everything at every turn.
At one point I noticed I was feeling quite irritated by the incessant stream of criticism and negative commentary and became very quiet inside. I "remembered" myself and listened from a more centered space. I let go of the life conundrums I was wrestling with, stopped and "shared" my heart. The irritation vanished and just by making this little adjustment my friend was able to relax for a bit as well. What held me in it's grip no longer held me and, for a time my friend became less embroiled in his life dramas as well.
*Self Remembering: In Search of the Miraculous, Chapters: VII, IX,
OPEN to the moment
BE Peace
BE Peace
