Ancient Wisdom for Difficult Times: The Seventh Step of the Eightfold Path

Hello wonderful Open Heart Project,

So far in our exploration of the Noble Eightfold Path, we have been laying a foundation for how we see, how we act, and how we meet our lives. We began with Right View and Right Intention, then moved into Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood, and most recently, Right Effort, the commitment to not give up on ourselves or our world.

Now we come to the seventh step: Right Mindfulness.

What does it mean to be mindful? Not perfect, not constantly calm, but present. Here, mindfulness is less about achieving a particular state and more about placing your attention on what is happening right now.

When attention drifts, as it will, we simply notice and return. Again and again, we come back. In this way, we begin to synchronize mind and body, resting in what is actually here rather than getting lost in what we think about it.

Interestingly, there is a kind of relaxation that arises from this. Not necessarily feeling peaceful, but being fully engaged. When mind and body are in the same place, something softens.

Please have a listen. I would love to hear what you notice, and any reflections or questions that arise.

Warmly,
Susan

categorized in: dharma, open heart project