Small realization

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 08:26 — Jeff

I had an experience this morning that got me thinking about connecting and harmonizing with someone in a non-martial setting. Let's just say that I reacted emotionally to a situation with someone and we did not connect or harmonize. Afterward, I was dissappointed in how I handled the situation. I was thinking about the concepts of being in the present, and really connecting with the other person, and not having agendas in my mind (intent), but being open to the natural flow of the interaction. I felt like the outcome could have been more harmonious with that approach, and that I could have recognized the situation as it was unfolding, before I became trapped into certain old response behaviors.

Later I was reading a little in the blogs, and thinking again about how much better the interaction would have been if I had been present and neutral, when a light bulb went on in my head. I finally realized what is meant by "put your intention on your attention". I didn't even realize before that I didn't understand it.

To get present and neutral I have to not have intent. The only intent I can have is to be attentive to the situation/person.

Jeff's blog
Login to post comments

What Students Say About Training & Everyday Life

Kalama Sutta (Kalama Sutra)

Do not simply believe what you hear just because you have heard it for a long time.
Do not follow tradition blindly merely because it has been practiced that way for many generations.
Do not be quick to listen to rumors.
Do not confirm anything just because it agrees with your scriptures.
Do not foolishly make assumptions.
Do not abruptly draw conclusions by what you see and hear.
Do not be fooled by outward appearances.
Do not hold on tightly to any view or idea just because you are comfortable with it.
Do not accept as fact anything that you yourself find to be illogical.
Do not be convinced of anything out of respect and deference to your spiritual teachers.

You should go beyond opinion and belief. You can rightly reject anything which when accepted, practiced and perfected leads to more aversion, more craving and more delusion. They are not beneficial and are to be avoided. Conversely, you can rightly accept anything which when accepted and practiced leads to unconditional love, contentment and wisdom. These things allow you time and space to develop a happy and peaceful mind. This should be your criteria on what is and what is not the truth; on what should be and what should not be the spiritual practice.