Reality Is Illusory

A lot of what we’re doing when we’re sitting is beginning to connect. It’s pointing yourself in the direction of beginning to wake up to the fact that the reality we assume, that we take for granted, is illusory. And it starts with seeing the transparency of our thoughts.

~ Pema Chödrön

When I read these words, I was struck by the sudden realization of just how important a daily meditation practice is for my well-being. I don’t have a true daily meditative practice– it’s more sporadic than it should be and the reasons are as varied as my creative mind can invent. (In other words, I have excuses, not reasons).

But when I meditate, I feel the positive results. I feel centered, grounded.. connected. And one of the most important aspects is the realization that the troubles I face and the obstacles in my path are not nearly as great as I think they are– my mind creates their level of importance. They feel real; they can even be measurable; yet they are illusory. They are desert mirages.. they grow before my eyes and take on a life of their own.

When I meditate, my mind and all the emotions, thoughts, issues and negativity no longer resemble caged animals in a zoo, pacing and racing; instead, I watch them pass, coming and going, rising and falling, gradually reducing their form to transparent, detached, passing entities that no longer control me.

 

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/zoo/

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Healing Room

Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

~ Pema Chödrön

As I’ve read books by some of my favorite spiritual teachers, their words, snippets here and there, have resonated deeply with me; however, this particular quote truly blossomed for me over the last year, becoming real to me in a way I could never have anticipated.

While I won’t discuss the details, I was put into the position of making a professional ethical decision that was incredibly painful to make, but one that I never waivered or questioned for a second. I know that I did the right thing; however, sometimes doing the right thing is the most difficult path to travel. My professional purpose was pummeled into the ground and my passion for the important work that I do was decimated. Everything that I once loved about my career became torturous.

The most painful and heartwrenching part of this journey was learning that those I valued and trusted, looked to for support and guidance, were not the people I thought they were. I became angry, hurt, distrustful and resentful. For a short time, I was unable to find comfort in the teachings that had always grounded me before. I was devastated.

And then I simply stopped fighting it. I allowed the negativity to wash over and through me, watching it, feeling it, acknowledging it, for what it was.

Finally, I returned to Pema Chödrön and read these words: they finally made sense. My experience was a painful one– one of many pains and joys and triumphs and failures on this journey. I gave myself permission to feel those things. I also recognized that things will get better, eventually. Things come together and they fall apart. I found comfort in that realization.

Once the negative emotions began to subside, I created the intention of finding my compassion. I sought to find the sufferings of others that hurt me and give them a measure of compassionate thought. I gave myself compassion, as well.

It’s been a tough year in so many ways, but I’m finding resiliency, forgiveness, compassion and hope along the way.