(new) new year

A popular meditation technique is called “mindfulness meditation”.   What does it mean to be mindful?

I heard a definition that I really like on the radio last week.  Mindfulness meditation is:  “noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary”.  When we sit in silence, it is the most ordinary thing …. BUT we are surrounded by all manner of wonderful things: our ever changing breath, the ambient sounds in the room, the light behind our eyelids, a sneeze,  … I could go on and on.   Life as it presents itself in the present moment is always extraordinary, but we lose sight of The Wonder when we focus on the past or the future (which is just barfed up past).  

Give it a try … notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.  

And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative. (Quran 14:34)

Peace on you,
bob

Christmas

I have concluded after many years of meditation that “spiritual practice” is ultimately about Worship.  Worship can take many forms: gratitude, prayer, charity, being good, doing good, and, most importantly, trusting God (submission).

In America we celebrate the birth of Jesus by shopping our brains out.  This is not “spiritual practice” as far as I can tell (LOL).  

A better spiritual practice is what I call a “Trust meditation” where we, during our quiet period, just let go of how we think it “OUGHT to be” and trust that all things are just as God would have them be (including the “bad” stuff). 

Give "Trust meditation" a go during the holidays.  It always brings peace to my heart.

When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, "Who are my supporters towards God?" The disciples said, "We are God's supporters; we believe in God, and bear witness that we are submitters." (Quran 3:52)