AWARENESS AND MINDFULNESS      

          The mind often seems to have a will of its own.  Have you ever lain awake at night, wanting to go to sleep, but upsetting memories of the past or worries about the future have danced in your head?  We can experience stress not only in the present, but also from reliving stressful past moments and projecting future upset.  Not only do the mind and emotions feel the effects of these images; the body goes into a "real-time" stress-response, just as if the event were happening now.  We can put our bodies and emotions through the ringer if we don't find a way to handle the mind.

          The present moment is rarely a difficult place to be.  It's the past and the future that intrude to create havoc.  If you ask yourself:  Am I all right now, at this moment?  The answer is almost invariably yes.  Yet, the mind continues to churn out an endless litany of potentially gut-wrenching images, both past and future.

          It is very difficult to force your mind to stop its rampage.  But by simply stepping back from it, watching your mind work, you find that you're no longer hooked emotionally.  And when you're not hooked emotionally, you can go to sleep, or enjoy your morning drive, or perhaps, your meal.

          When you step back from your undisciplined thoughts, you become aware of how your mind works, and what you do to yourself that may cause stress.

          What part of you is able to step back and simply observe the parade of thoughts?  Within you are many selves, one of which can be called the Observer Self, or Wise Self.  That part of you is able to disentangle itself from the play of the mind, and help you to reach a state of calm.

          Being mindful means that you call upon that quiet, knowing Wise Self within you and step back to watch the drama.  The more often you use this ability, the more easily you'll be able to recognize moments of calm when they are there, and to find an inner experience of tranquility even if chaos surrounds you.